Plusnet Wins Big in Home Broadband Survey Awards

CAMBRIDGE, England, February 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Accolades also go to Sky Broadband, Virgin Media and innovative gigabit ISP Hyperoptic

Plusnet has been crowned Best Broadband Provider in a countrywide customer survey. The BroadbandGenie.co.uk Home Broadband Survey 2013 combines a poll of thousands of broadband users, tens of thousands of speed tests and the opinions of a panel of industry insiders and experts to reveal the state of broadband in the UK. T

The poll, carried out by leading market research firm OnePoll, surveyed broadband customers across the UK, asking them to rate ISPs for technical support, customer service, reliability and performance. The public were also asked whether they would recommend their provider.

Yorkshire-based Plusnet came out on top with the highest ratings in all OnePoll categories, garnering the award for Best Broadband Provider. It was also voted Best Budget Provider by the judging panel. Plusnet CEO Jamie Ford commented, saying: "We're delighted to get the highest scores across all these categories because it is testament to the work we have done - all this and we're still offering these services at some of the most competitive prices on the market."

Virgin Media won the Fastest Broadband award, based on the results of almost 50,000 speed tests. Virgin's executive director of broadband Jon James said: "We've been doubling the broadband speeds of millions of homes throughout this past year... we're committed to ensuring our customers get the very best value as well as the fastest connections in the country."

Hyperoptic was voted Most Innovative Provider in recognition of its efforts building an ultrafast fibre network which provides 1Gb connections to home users. Hyperoptic MD Dana Tobak said: "We truly appreciate receiving the "Most Innovative Provider" accolade especially as it's been decided by a panel of forward thinking, like-minded judges. We strongly believe the service we offer is setting a new standard for broadband services for today that will serve us into the future. Hyperoptic focuses on bringing true fibre to the home of our customers, we don't accept second best and we don't expect them to either." 

Sky Broadband was voted Best Bundle Provider for its Internet, telephone and premium TV packages. A spokesperson said: "Sky has been the UK's fastest growing broadband and phone provider on an annual basis since 2008. We're delighted that our Broadband bundle has been recognised by Broadband Genie."

"This year's results show ISPs have made big strides in performance over the last 12 months," said Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell. "We're enjoying higher average speeds and some great value packages. However there was a drop in the number of users who would recommend their ISP which indicates providers still have work to do when it comes to service and support."

For the full results and analysis visit http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk/broadband/awards

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk

2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Matt Powell at Broadband Genie: editor@broadbandgenie.co.uk