The annual Uswitch awards were recently presented at a glamorous event in London’s Canary Wharf, revealing some unexpected winners. These accolades are determined by a panel of esteemed judges, including the Technology Editor of Mirror Online, in conjunction with input from the general public. Surprisingly, smaller, value-oriented mobile networks emerged victorious in the 2026 Uswitch rankings, overshadowing larger competitors.
VOXI, Tesco Mobile, Lebara, and giffgaff all excelled in various categories, securing awards such as Mobile Network of the Year, Best Mobile Network for Customer Service, and Best Mobile Network for Roaming. In the broadband sector, EE surprisingly clinched the top spot as the National Broadband Provider of the Year, despite its renowned reputation in mobile services.
Other broadband victors included YouFibre, Plusnet, Vodafone, and Virgin Media. According to Ernest Doku, a telecoms expert at Uswitch, in 2026, consumers prioritize the best value for their investment over simply seeking the lowest price. The success of smaller mobile providers underscores the trend of customers choosing networks that offer superior value for money.
Reliability is paramount in the broadband market, particularly for those working from home, making a stable connection the utmost priority. The Uswitch Telecoms Awards serve as a valuable resource for customers seeking optimal deals, with various providers offering exceptional value and service to meet diverse needs.
Some of the notable winners include EE for National Broadband Provider of the Year, YouFibre for Regional Broadband Provider of the Year, Plusnet for Best Broadband Provider for Customer Service, Vodafone for Best Value for Money Broadband Provider, Virgin for Most Reliable Broadband Provider, and Vodafone for Most Popular Broadband Provider. In the mobile category, VOXI secured Mobile Network of the Year, Tesco for Best Mobile Network for Customer Service, VOXI for Best Mobile Network for Data, Lebara for Best Mobile Network for Roaming, giffgaff for Best Mobile Handset Contract Network, Three for Best Mobile Network for Perks, and EE for Fastest Mobile Network Overall.
