UK’s best mobile network named, and it’s not who | Tech News

A survey of the UK’s mobile cellphone customers has topped smaller, price-first mobile networks best within the majority of circumstances, soundly beating the nation’s incumbent suppliers EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.

Price comparability firm Uswitch surveyed 27,188 broadband and mobile clients over the age of 18, and additionally took into consideration the opinions of a panel of 11 industry judges, together with Express.co.uk’s technology editor Dave Snelling. After the votes have been tallied, at an awards ceremony on Thursday in London, Uswitch named mobile digital network operator (MVNO) VOXI as mobile network of the yr.

VOXI, which is owned by Vodafone, markets itself with the perk of limitless social media knowledge. This signifies that utilizing Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, X, Instagram, Messenger and Pinterest on a mobile knowledge connection does not depend towards your month-to-month knowledge allowance, though this does not embrace voice and video calls over these platforms.

Still, in the event you’re hooked on the scroll, you are able to do it without cost with VOXI. Prices begin from £10 monthly.

Runner-up within the ‘highly commended’ spot was Smarty, the MVNO owned by Three. It affords contract-free rolling month-to-month plans ranging from simply £6 monthly. Its data-only plans additionally work nicely for pill house owners.

Uswitch mentioned 44 % of all respondents chosen low month-to-month price and worth for money as probably the most important issues to them when selecting a mobile plan, whereas 46 % mentioned a price rise could be the principle factor to persuade them to modify to a different mobile network from their current one.

MVNOs Tesco Mobile, Lebara and Giffgaff gained for customer support, roaming and handset contract network respectively, whereas VOXI additionally gained for knowledge, SIM solely and worth for money. The just one of the UK’s principal 4 mobile networks to win within the mobile class was Three because the best mobile network for perks.

Of these talked about classes, the 11 professional judges solely determined the roaming award, with the public vote crowning all different winners.

“In 2026, the ‘household budget’ isn’t just about the lowest price – it’s about the best return on investment,” mentioned Ernest Doku, telecoms professional at Uswitch.

“The success of smaller mobile providers at this year’s awards shows that consumers are voting with their wallets for the networks that offer the most for their money.”

The voting additionally topped winners in six classes for broadband and TV suppliers, the place incumbent manufacturers made a higher exhibiting. EE gained national broadband supplier of the yr, with Vodafone taking home gongs for best worth for money and hottest supplier.

Virgin Media was voted most dependable, although this was backed up with knowledge from network monitoring firm Opensignal. Regional broadband supplier of the yr was gained by YouFibre, with Plusnet successful for best customer support.