EE vs Three vs O2 vs Vodafone: UK's best mobile network has been named for 2026, should you switch?

EE, Three, O2 logos behind hands holding a mobile

UK-based price comparison service Uswitch has unveiled the Mobile Network of the Year

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EE | THREE | O2 | GB NEWS

Taylor Bushey

By Taylor Bushey


Published: 17/02/2026

- 10:57

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Should you ditch your current mobile network for an award-winning provider?

  • Uswitch has announced its best mobile network for 2026
  • It pitted the biggest networks against one another over multiple criteria
  • A Vodafone-owned brand has secured the top spot
  • EE, Three, Tesco, and O2 are also awarded across different categories
  • We've got the complete list of winners below

Looking for a new mobile provider? UK-based price comparison service Uswitch just crowned Voxi as the Mobile Network of the Year as part of its annual awards ceremony for the biggest mobile brands.

It picks the winners based on a mixture of public voting, expert judging, and data analysis. If you're looking to switch your provider for a specific reason, Uswitch lists out who's won across 12 different categories:


  • Mobile Network of the Year- Voxi
  • Best SIM Only Mobile Network- Voxi
  • Best Mobile Network for Customer Service- Tesco Mobile
  • Best Mobile Network for Data- Voxi
  • Best Mobile Network for Roaming- Lebara
  • Best Value for Money Mobile Provider- Voxi
  • Best Mobile Network for Perks- Three
  • Most Popular Mobile Network- Lebara
  • Best Mobile Network Coverage- O2
  • Fastest Mobile Network Overall- EE
  • Best Mobile Handset Contract Network- Giffgaff
  • Best Mobiles Reseller- Fonehouse

Voxi also earned the Best Value for Money Mobile Provider, Best SIM Only Mobile Network, and Best Mobile Network for Data — making it an ideal choice if you're looking to move over to a more reliable provider.

If you're not familiar, Voxi is owned and powered by Vodafone, offering flexible, no-contract SIM-only plans and mobile phones with 5G access. Known for its "endless" social media data, Voxi enables unlimited usage of apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram without consuming your monthly data allowance.

Upgrade to the "Fastest Mobile Network" with an unlimited SIM-only plan from EE

Get "uncapped speed" when you sign up for a 24-month unlimited SIM-only deal from EE. Its plan is 5G+ enabled, with speeds up to 10x faster than 4G. You'll get unlimited priority coverage in busy areas, no-charge roaming in the EU, and you can gift data to your friends and family. Plus you'll be treated to a free subscription to Netflix.

EE Unlimited SIM-Only Deal
$42 $33

Upgrade to the "Best Mobile Network Coverage" with an unlimited SIM-only plan from O2

Upgrade to the "Best Mobile Network Coverage" with a 24-month unlimited data plan from O2. You'll get unlimited talk and text, and you can roam at no extra cost in 75 destinations — including the EU, USA, Australia, and Mexico. Plus, you can choose to be treated to a six-month subscription to Amazon Prime, Disney+ Standard, or others. One noteworthy detail to be mindful of is that O2 Airtime Plans will increase by £2.50 each April.

O2 Unlimited SIM-Only Deal
$22.99

Upgrade to the "Best Mobile Network for Perks" with a SIM-Only deal from Three

Get access to exclusive rewards from Three+ Rewards when you sign up for a Three SIM plan like the 60GB Lite SIM-only deal. You'll be able to £1 weekly coffees, cinema tickets, and more via the Three+ app. Get access to 60GB of data every month, 5G coverage, and unlimited calls and texts.

Three 60GB Lite SIM-Only Deal
$11

However, if you're more concerned with having the fastest network — from the UK or abroad — EE has secured the top spot. EE's award was chosen entirely by data from Opensignal, where the mobile analytics company saw that they maintained their long-standing reputation as the UK's fastest mobile network.

It has several standout features as a provider, too, not just speed. EE most recently launched its refurbished phones service, where you can buy a second-hand mobile as if it's brand new.

When you buy a refurbished smartphone from EE, you'll have the option to sign up for a monthly plan with calls, text messages, and 5G mobile data. Many contracts also offer EU roaming, so you can use your phone abroad with ease.

A major perk when signing up for EE is its inclusive extras, which may include subscriptions like Apple Music, Netflix, or gaming services, helping you save money. You can also gift your data to family members with "Stay Connected Data" ensuring you can provide connectivity when their monthly allowance is low.

screenshots of the opensignal app on iphone showing its capabilitiesOpensignal crowdsources its data from people across the UK, who can download its smartphone app and run a series of tests to determine the viability of their connection when it comes to streaming video, browsing social media, and more | OPENSIGNAL PRESS OFFICE

Opensignal data was also used to select O2 for the Best Mobile Network Coverage award. If you're not an O2 and Virgin Media customer, there are several benefits worth noting if you've been considering a switch.

O2 is set to give you reliable UK-wide mobile coverage.

You'll have access to unlimited minutes and texts, and the freedom to roam at no extra cost in 75 destinations, including the EU, USA and Australia. Many plans also come with added extras, like six months of Disney+ Standard, Amazon Prime or other popular subscriptions, helping you save on everyday entertainment.

They even offer a rewards program for their customers built into their Priority app.

You can get access to free giveaways or unlock other perks, such as claiming free snacks, getting discounts on beauty and wellness treatments, and more. The app is available for download in the App Store or Google Play Store for iPhone and Android, respectively.

However, its Three that took home the award for Best Mobile Network for Perks.

Uswitch annual Telecoms Awards 2026 graphic

Uswitch names the best mobile provider each year through an annual rewards program based on a mixture of public voting, expert judging, and data analysis

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USWITCH

Three offers its own rewards program called Three+. When you sign up for Three's rewards program as a mobile contract customer, there are several noteworthy features you can take advantage of, such as:

  • £1 barista-made drink every week via Caffè Nero or local cafés
  • £3 adult 2D ticket at Cineworld on weekends
  • Small pizza for just £5 at Papa John’s (weekly)
  • £5 off restaurant or takeaway bills when you spend at least £20
  • Presale access to music gigs, festivals, and live shows
  • Discounts from big brands like 10% off at Nike
  • Competitions & giveaways (e.g. VIP festival experiences, etc.)
The mobile provider is constantly updating its perks, too. Earlier last year, Three partnered with Papa John's to treat its customers to pizzas for just £5.
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