Mobile network studies reveal M4 coverage and eSIM performance

A study by network analyst firm Streetwave has evaluated mobile network performance along the M4 motorway in the United Kingdom. Testing coverage from Cardiff to London, the study found that EE provided the strongest results with 97% basic coverage, followed by Vodafone at 95% and Three UK at 93%. O2 recorded the lowest basic coverage at 78%, with significant gaps noted between Swindon and Reading.

Separately, research from Ookla has highlighted performance issues associated with travel eSIMs. The study indicates that while eSIMs offer cost-effective roaming, they often suffer from speed and latency penalties due to network routing. Data packets are frequently routed through a provider’s core network in a different country rather than using local breakout, which can result in traffic traveling long distances to reach the internet.