The Uswitch annual 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 expert judges, including Mirror Online’s Technology Editor, and input from the public, showcasing a mix of both prominent and lesser-known names. Surprisingly, smaller, budget-friendly mobile networks dominated the 2026 Uswitch awards.
VOXI, Tesco Mobile, Lebara, and giffgaff stood out with impressive performances in categories such as Mobile Network of the Year, Best Mobile Network for Customer Service, and Best Mobile Network for Roaming.
In a surprising turn of events, EE was crowned the National Broadband Provider of the Year, despite its renowned reputation in the mobile sector. Other notable broadband winners included YouFibre, Plusnet, Vodafone, and Virgin Media.
Ernest Doku, a telecoms expert at Uswitch, emphasized the evolving consumer preferences in 2026, stating that value and quality now outweigh mere affordability. The success of smaller mobile providers underscores customers’ inclination towards networks offering greater value for their money.
Reliability is paramount when it comes to broadband services, especially for individuals working from home. The Uswitch Telecoms Awards aim to guide consumers in finding the best telecommunications deals, emphasizing the importance of a stable connection for remote work.
Listed below are some of the winners from the Uswitch awards:
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 services, where consumers are increasingly seeking value, reliability, and quality in their service providers.