Virgin Media scoops an impressive six out of 12 trophies, including best TV content and best customer-rated broadband
UK broadband provider Plusnet takes home three prizes – it’s best in class for both value and customer service
Following their Ultra Fibre Optic initiative in York, TalkTalk and Sky are joint winners for broadband innovation.
Results are in for the fifth annual Uswitch Broadband Awards, revealing what Britons really think of their broadband providers – from speeds and reliability, to customer service. The winners, voted for by over 5,000 consumers and an independent judging panel of 14 journalists, were announced last night at The Barbican.
Virgin Media is voted top dog for both broadband and TV, scooping an impressive six out of 12 awards. The communications giant is rated highly by its customers, winning acknowledgement for its fast broadband and range of TV content.
Value broadband and home phone provider Plusnet takes home three awards for the second year running. As well as scooping up Best Broadband and Home Phone, its cheap fibre offerings have helped secure the trophy for Best Value Home Broadband – despite stiff competition from runner up BT, which also offers competitively priced fibre packages. Plusnet customers are also the happiest of the bunch, enjoying the best customer service.
EE is still benefitting from its head start in bringing 4G to the UK, as it claims victory once again with the Fastest Mobile Broadband. Providing 93% of 4G coverage in the UK compared to runner up O2, which has over 80%, EE has gained a lot of ground and may hold onto this award for years to come if left unchallenged.
Streaming services like Netflix and Now TV continue to challenge the more traditional TV providers, with Netflix voted top of the class in the category for Best TV Streaming Service. Exclusive content like House of Cards and Orange Is The New Black has helped it beat off stiff competition from Now TV’s popular Sky Sports Day Pass.
Sky and TalkTalk share the gong for Best Broadband Innovation. Their Ultra Fibre Optic Broadband initiative in York is part of an ongoing trial, which is capable of offering speeds 100 times faster than standard broadband.
The table below shows a full list of the winners and runners up for each of the 12 categories:
| Category | Winner | Runner Up | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest Mobile Broadband | EE | O2 | ||
| Best TV Streaming Service | Netflix | Now TV | ||
| Best Value Home Broadband | Plusnet | BT | ||
| Best Customer Service | Plusnet | Sky | ||
| Best Broadband & Home Phone | Plusnet | Sky | ||
| Best Broadband Innovation | TalkTalk/Sky | Virgin | ||
| Best Broadband Provider | Virgin | Plusnet | ||
| Best TV Content | Virgin | Sky | ||
| Best TV Provider | Virgin | BT | ||
| Best Broadband, TV & Home Phone | Virgin | BT | ||
| Fastest Broadband | Virgin | BT | ||
| Best Customer Rated Broadband | Virgin | Plusnet |
Source: Uswitch.com
Ewan Taylor-Gibson, broadband expert at Uswitch.com, says: “Virgin Media’s blend of superfast broadband, competitive pricing and excellent TV content has proved a winning combination. Well known for its speedy broadband, this year is the first time Virgin has been recognised for its TV services, proving that being the one-stop shop for Sky and BT Sport channels, as well as Netflix, has paid off.
“Also a multi-award winner, Plusnet’s winning combination of great value and UK based customer service means it appeals to its existing customers as well as attracting new ones.
“Affordable fibre deals and TV content were the key battlegrounds for telecoms providers in 2015, as more households upgraded to avoid being tethered to sluggish speeds or lacklustre content. Original TV programmes, which have been hugely popular, have helped Netflix secure the top spot for Best TV Streaming Service over rivals Now TV and Amazon Prime.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ailene Barr
Phone: 020 3872 5610
Email: ailene.barr@uswitch.com
Twitter: @uswitchPR
Notes to editors
Research carried out online in December 2015 by Censuswide amongst 5,015 broadband decision makers or bill payers. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). Analysis conducted in December 2015. Speed test data was determined by Uswitch’s broadband speed testing and customer rating tool, StreetStats. The panel of experts included independent journalists – details can be found: http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/awards/
EE’s 4G coverage is detailed here: http://ee.co.uk/ee-and-me/why-ee/uks-no1-network and O2’s 4G coverage was confirmed via email with their press office.
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