Uswitch.com Broadband Awards: O2 scoops Best Broadband Provider

The results of the Uswitch.com Broadband Awards are in, revealing what Britons really think of their broadband provider from speeds and reliability to customer service and technical support. The winners, as voted for by more than 3,500 consumers and a judging panel of industry experts, were announced last night at a glittering ceremony at Paramount, atop London’s iconic Centre Point building:

Telecoms giant O2 emerged victorious from Uswitch.com’s annual broadband awards, winning five out of 15 categories - including the most coveted Best Broadband Provider. This top prize was decided on by a judging panel[1] and a consumer survey[2] that gave O2 a satisfaction rating of 88%, beating stiff competition from runners-up Plusnet, Sky and Virgin Media. The provider also received gongs for Best Customer Service and Best Technical Support.

Hot on O2’s heels was Yorkshire-based provider Plusnet, which excelled in consumer vote-led categories, taking home a total of four awards. It scooped Best Customer Rated, Most Reliable Service and Most Likely to Be Recommended. In the current economic climate, with the cost of living soaring and Britons searching for ways to cut everyday expenditure, Plusnet’s low-cost deals proved a hit with customers, beating O2 and TalkTalk to earn the title of Best Value Home Broadband, too.

With the need for speed of paramount importance to Britain’s increasingly data-hungry internet users, all eyes were on the prize for fastest providers. Fastest Home Broadband went to Virgin Media. This category was based on the results of millions of consumer speed tests conducted during 2011 using Uswitch.com’s speed testing app, StreetStats[3]. Virgin’s fibre optic cables helped the provider achieve an award-winning average download speed for 2011 of 12.9Mb, beating runners up O2 and BT.

The Fastest Mobile Broadband award, which was based on more than 26,000 3G speed tests[4] taken by mobile phone users last year, went to O2, beating contenders Three and Vodafone with an average download 3G speed of 3.2Mb.

TalkTalk’s pioneering home security package HomeSafe, which protects users from visiting inappropriate websites and virus attacks, earned itself an award for Broadband Innovation from the judging panel. Closely trailing were Three’s HSPA+, which enables dongle users to access faster speeds and benefit from quicker downloads, and TiVo from Virgin Media, which allows people to watch television on demand, catch up on what’s been missed, memorises favourite shows and brings online videos to the TV.

Bundle deals are increasingly popular with Brits looking to save money by using multiple services from one provider. Consumers voted BT as the provider of Best Broadband & TV, while Best Broadband & Home Phone went to O2. Orange scooped Best Customer Benefits, impressing the judging panel with its special promotions including 2 for 1 cinema tickets on Orange Wednesday, 2 for 1 pizza at Pizza Express, a free weekly movie download from iTunes and free access to music from Deezer.

Also voted for by the judging panel was Best TV Service, which went to Sky for its original programming and high-class television offerings including Sky Atlantic, Sky Go  and Sky 3D.

Ernest Doku, communications expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “With super-fast speeds currently a hot topic and the home broadband market more fiercely competitive than ever before, it’s certainly an incredibly exciting and challenging time for the industry and consumers alike.

“Most importantly, services are improving and providers have recognised that value-adds and customer support are becoming as important as low prices to appeal to savvy consumers.

“These awards show that in a competitive market, some providers are managing to stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons, making it a compelling reason for consumers to select the right package.

“Our awards are predominantly voted for by customers who can provide an honest and objective opinion of their providers. Overall, as consumers we should always bear in mind to our homework to ensure that we get the right package, at the right price.

“But with little between the top providers, it is all still to play for. If suppliers keep pushing the boundaries and improving their services, consumers will be the real winners.”

You can view the full results HERE

Photos from the awards ceremony can be downloaded from HERE

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Maja Hauke

Phone: 0207 148 4663

Email: maja.hauke@uswitch.com

Notes to Editors

1.     The panel of experts included independent journalists and Uswitch experts

2.   Total sample size for the customer service survey was 3,780 people. Responses were collected in December 2011 with analysis conducted January 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). Specific reporting of results published for suppliers that received 50 or more responses. For categories judged by the customer service survey, a minimum of 140 respondents was required for a provider to be shortlisted 

3.    For categories judged by Uswitch’s broadband speed testing tool, StreetStats, a minimum of 10,000 speed tests and ratings was required for a provider to be shortlisted

4.      From 3rd January 2011 until 3rd of January 2012, 26,212 3G tests were conducted

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.