3 has been named as the Best Overall Mobile Broadband Provider by independent broadband comparison site www.broadband-expert.co.uk in its 2010 Mobile Broadband Awards. 3 also came out on top for Best Coverage and Best Laptop Bundle in the individual award categories.
Broadband Expert based the awards on customer feedback, speed test results and customer ratings from over 11,000 mobile broadband customers from 1 January to 31 August 2010.
“Although it was a close call between Vodafone and 3 for the overall top spot, 3 scooped the Best Overall Mobile Broadband Award for offering value for money and delivering a good all round performance in the key categories of speed, customer satisfaction and coverage,” says Broadband Expert commercial director, Rob Webber. “An honourable mention also goes to T-Mobile, which has received the most positive customer feedback and is to be commended for its fair pricing policy regarding run on rates (exceeding data allowance).”
Vodafone won the award for the Fastest Mobile Broadband Provider, topping the speed league with an average download time of 1.78Mb, followed very closely by 3 at 1.76 Mb; Orange at 1.46; O2 at 1.42; and T-Mobile at 1.07Mb. 
T-Mobile topped the customer satisfaction ratings, with customers scoring it at an average of 71 per cent, followed closely by 3 on 69 per cent and Vodafone on 68 per cent. O2 (65 per cent) was marginally ahead of Orange on 64 per cent.
T-Mobile, winner of the Fair Pricing Award, was praised for not charging customers for exceeding their download limit. O2 won Best Pay as You Go provider with its competitive Pay As You Go (PAYG) and 1 month contract plans.
3, which claims to have the largest 3G network in the UK, narrowly beat Vodafone to the Best Coverage Award, having improved its network, and received comparatively positive feedback from Broadband Expert’s visitors in 2010. 3 also took the Best Laptop Bundle Award, thanks to some of the best spec laptops for the price and a good combination of mobile broadband and laptop deals to choose from.
