The recent Uswitch awards ceremony held in London’s Canary Wharf unveiled some unexpected winners. An esteemed panel of judges, including Mirror Online’s Technology Editor and input from the public, determined the recipients. Surprisingly, smaller, value-oriented mobile networks stood out in the 2026 Uswitch rankings.
VOXI, Tesco Mobile, Lebara, and giffgaff excelled, clinching accolades such as Mobile Network of the Year, Best Mobile Network for Customer Service, and Best Mobile Network for Roaming. In the broadband category, EE emerged as the top choice, winning the National Broadband Provider of the Year award, despite its mobile reputation. Other broadband victors included YouFibre, Plusnet, Vodafone, and Virgin Media.
Ernest Doku, a telecoms expert at Uswitch, emphasized the evolving consumer priorities in 2026, where value proposition outweighs mere cost considerations. The success of niche mobile providers underscores the trend of consumers seeking optimal value for their money.
Doku stressed the paramount importance of reliability in broadband services, particularly in the current climate of remote work. The Uswitch Telecoms Awards serve as a compass for customers navigating through the myriad of options, ensuring they find providers that deliver both value and quality service.
Here are some of the standout winners across different categories:
**BEST BROADBAND**
– National Broadband Provider of the Year: EE
– Regional Broadband Provider of the Year: YouFibre
– Best Broadband Provider for Customer Service: Plusnet
– Best Value for Money Broadband Provider: Vodafone
– Most Reliable Broadband Provider: Virgin
– Most Popular Broadband Provider: Vodafone
**BEST MOBILE**
– Mobile Network of the Year: VOXI
– Best Mobile Network for Customer Service: Tesco
– Best Mobile Network for Data: VOXI
– Best Mobile Network for Roaming: Lebara
– Best Mobile Handset Contract Network: giffgaff
– Best Mobile Network for Perks: Three
– Fastest Mobile Network Overall: EE
The Uswitch awards reflect the evolving landscape of telecommunications, where quality, value, and reliability take precedence in consumer decision-making.
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