P3, the international consulting, engineering and testing services company, has announced that mobile network operators EE and Vodafone share the top-spot in its tests that measure the quality of network performance in the UK.

The tests measured the quality of performance provided by the UK’s four networks (Vodafone, EE, Three and O2) using a range of benchmarks in 13 UK cities, a range of smaller towns and along 2,000 miles of major roads. EE and Vodafone emerged with exactly the same overall score of 803 points (out of a possible 1,000) from the P3 connect Mobile Benchmark, which was conducted by P3 in September. Three was in third place, having scored 778 points overall.

The results were good news overall, with three of the four operators achieving ‘good’ ratings, which has never happened in the three years of P3 testing in UK. O2, which scored 747 points overall, earned a ‘satisfactory’ rating.

Hakan Ekmen, CEO P3 communications GmbH said, “our tests are good news for the UK’s mobile customers, because for the first time three networks are in our ‘good’ category, even though this year’s tests were the toughest yet. It is gratifying that over the three years we have been testing we can see substantial improvements in the overall quality of service, which is a clear indication of how our benchmarks are helping to drive improvements in the networks.”

The tests, which have been conducted by P3 since 2014, have become a trusted benchmark among UK operators, measuring voice and data performance on 3G and 4G networks, using LTE-capable smartphones. The results allow the operators to compare the ordinary user’s experience of each network through a series of measurements taken while driving, walking and indoors, covering major metropolitan areas and smaller towns, their connecting roads and major highways. Test metrics cover voice-call quality, success-rates, file upload and download speeds, website access and mobile video performance.

Hakan added, “high-quality connectivity is going to be essential to the UK’s future quality of life and competitiveness and our tests mark the country’s progress towards embracing the many opportunities that will unfold.”