Plusnet, Tesco Mobile and Community Fibre win providers of the year in Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2024

Plusnet has landed Broadband Provider of the Year, with Tesco Mobile scooping Network of the Year in the Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2024, following a survey of more than 24,000 UK broadband and mobile customers by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service [2].

Community Fibre also secured Alternative Broadband Provider of the Year, a category recognising the innovation of smaller, often regional suppliers in shaking up the market. The provider committed to affordable plans as well as the benefits of fast and reliable full fibre connections.     

Value for money tops importance for consumers

With annual price rises being a recent topical industry issue, value for money remains a key sticking point for consumers. 45% of respondents said this was their most important item to look for when selecting a mobile provider, ahead of strong coverage at home (29%) and reliability (28%) [3]. Almost half (49%) said that price increases would likely convince them to change providers [1].

With keenly priced deals as such, budget-friendly provider SMARTY, has won the public's choice for Best SIM Only Value for Money. The provider’s simple, flexible, phoneless contracts and free EU roaming make it the standout network for 2024. A Uswitch exclusive with SMARTY currently gives unlimited texts and minutes, plus 40GB 5G data for £8 per month. 

Lebara Mobile was also a strong price contender, winning Most Popular Mobile Network, with its offer of a great value mobile service with attentive customer support, flexible 30-day contracts and cheap international calling. 

For TV providers, low cost and value for money (49%) also ranked the most important factors when selecting a service, ahead of quality (33%) and range of content (30%) [4]. BBC iPlayer was rated the platform consumers were most satisfied with (91%), followed by Channel 4, (90%) ahead of Amazon Prime (87%), Apple TV (86%) and Netflix (83%) [5].

Broadband and Mobile Providers of the Year winners

Plusnet has shown outstanding service across the board, setting the gold standard for broadband over the past year in the eyes of UK customers. This included a commitment to providing fast, effective support to customers, as well as reliability in terms of service. 

Tesco Mobile stood out for its wide-reaching coverage and innovative tariffs, as well as convenient contact options, attentive staff and compelling price points to meet the diverse needs of mobile users. 

With the UK’s full fibre roll-out now well underway, alternative networks such as Community Fibre ranked highly for satisfied customers (83%) [6], scooping it Alternative Broadband Provider of the Year Award, followed closely by Hyperoptic coming in Highly Commended. Community Fibre currently offers top deals via Uswitch, giving users access to up to 920MB for £25 per month with no set-up costs and a complimentary £70 Amazon voucher. 

Quality and innovation 

Quality of service and innovation are becoming more valued in a competitive telecoms landscape, according to the Uswitch’s judging panel of industry experts [1].

EE placed first for Best Telecoms Bundle Provider. The company’s new set of premium features are the freshest example of a modern telecoms bundle in recent times, with a dedicated focus on improving home connectivity. EE’s new range featured a new Enhancer function, Pause feature, home guest connectivity and Smart Wi-Fi Plus boosters and backups, setting the standard for the future of home Wi-Fi.

The judging panel also voted the Google Pixel 8 Pro Handset of the Year. The latest flagship Pixel was the top smartphone of 2023, with a stunning new display, insanely true-to-life photography and unparalleled AI features.

This year is also the first-time the Uswitch Telecoms Awards has featured an eSim category. Airalo placed first for Best eSIM Provider, offering consumers effortless global connectivity and easy management of the new technology. 

Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “It comes as no surprise that value for money, customer support and reliability remain the cornerstones of what customers want - and expect - from their broadband, mobile, and TV providers. Providers implementing price rises may wish to take note of consumer attitudes, given the number tempted to switch to other suppliers should their costs rise. 

“Smaller and alternative regional providers are continuing to build their reputation as notable players in the broadband and mobile market. This year has seen high customer satisfaction ratings for providers, such as Community Fibre and Hyperoptic, which clearly shows the growing demand for the low cost, high speed services offered by this type of broadband provider. Equally, low-cost challenger brands such as Lebara in the mobile space are continuing to win top awards in line with consumer expectations. 

“While the telecoms landscape is becoming more competitive, it’s positive to see new innovations entering the market. The inclusion of AI-enhanced features on smartphones, new stand-out products in home connectivity and growing interest in alternative broadband networks are all clear examples of breakthrough progress attracting consumer interest. Ultimately, it will be the providers which differentiate themselves through new and compelling ideas that will stand out from the competition.”
The full list of broadband, mobile, and TV winners for the Uswitch Telecoms Awards 2024 can be found here.

Chris Thomas

PR Contractor

v-chris.thomas@rvu.co.uk

Notes to Editors

[1] The Uswitch Telecoms Awards are based on the opinions of a UK consumer panel of 24,000 UK broadband and mobile customers, aged 18+, as well as a panel of 16 expert judges. Responses were collected between 22nd November to 7th December. Of those respondents, 20,000 were broadband customers and 21,497 were mobile customers.

[2] Participants were asked “Would any of the following things happening be likely to convince you to switch to another mobile network?”

[3] Participants were asked “How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with how your home broadband provider performs on each of the following?” in relation to their broadband

[4] Participants were asked “How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with how your home broadband provider performs on each of the following?” in relation to their TV services

[5] Participants were asked “Thinking about your TV streaming or ‘on demand’ service(s), how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the TV content you receive?”

[6] Participants were asked “How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with how your home broadband provider performs on each of the following?”

[7] Analysis derived from Opensignal Awards – UK: Mobile Network Experience reports, April and September 2023, based on independent analysis during the period Dec 1 2022 - Feb 28, 2023 and Jun 1 to Aug 29, 2023. © 2024 Opensignal Limited.

About Uswitch 

Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles. 

More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.

Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings. 

Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.