EE vs Three for Business Mobile: Full Comparison

Last updated: March 2026 • Reviewed by Compare The Networks

EE vs Three: At a Glance

EE and Three are the two most popular choices for UK business mobile contracts. EE leads on coverage and network reliability. Three leads on price, especially for data-heavy users. Both include 5G at no extra cost.

Coverage Comparison

EE consistently ranks as the UK’s fastest and widest-reaching network. In independent testing, EE delivers the best combination of coverage, speed, and reliability. This matters if your business operates in rural areas or your employees travel extensively across the UK.

Three offers excellent coverage in urban areas and has the most 5G spectrum of any UK network. However, indoor coverage and rural signal can be weaker compared to EE. If your team is primarily based in towns and cities, Three’s coverage is perfectly adequate.

Price Comparison

Three is substantially cheaper than EE for equivalent data allowances. The unlimited data gap is striking: £10/month on Three vs £19/month on EE. For a business with 10 lines, that is a saving of £1,080 per year by choosing Three.

However, EE’s 10 GB plan at £9/month offers generous data at a competitive price. For businesses that do not need unlimited data, the monthly difference narrows significantly.

5G Speed & Performance

EE leads in independent speed tests, averaging 150-200 Mbps on 5G and 40-60 Mbps on 4G. Three’s speeds are more variable — they hold more 5G spectrum (which means higher peak speeds in good coverage areas) but their average speeds are lower due to a smaller footprint. In areas where both networks have strong 5G, the practical difference is minimal for business use.

Customer Service & Account Management

EE generally receives better customer service ratings in industry surveys. Their business support is largely UK-based and response times tend to be faster. Three’s support is adequate but can involve longer wait times during peak periods.

Multi-Line Cost Comparison

For businesses ordering multiple lines, the cost difference between EE and Three scales significantly:

Prices before volume discounts. Multi-line discounts of 10-25% can reduce these further.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose EE if:

• Your team works in rural areas or travels extensively across the UK
• You need the most reliable 5G coverage right now
• Network uptime and speed are business-critical
• You value responsive UK-based customer support
• You need premium features like Smart Benefits (Apple Music, BT Sport)

Choose Three if:

• Budget is your primary concern and you want the lowest monthly cost
• You need unlimited data without paying a premium
• Your team is mainly based in urban areas
• You are provisioning many lines and want to maximise volume savings
• You value simplicity — Three’s plans are straightforward with no bolt-on complexity

Our Verdict

For most urban-based businesses, Three offers the better deal. The savings are substantial, especially on unlimited data and multi-line orders. However, if your business depends on coverage in rural areas, motorway corridors, or you simply cannot afford any connectivity issues, EE is worth the premium.

Through Compare The Networks, you can also mix networks — put urban-based staff on Three and field workers on EE to get the best of both worlds.

See also: All Business Mobile Deals, O2 vs Vodafone, SIM Only Deals, 5G Coverage Guide.