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PC Authority Best Tech Awards results: the best wireless broadband ISPs, mobile phone providers

by Staff Writers on Dec 2, 2009

Tags: besttech

6 Comments

Voters have indicated unhappiness with the reliability and value for money of wireless broadband, showing that it pays to do your research before committing to a lengthy wireless contract

While the top rated wireless ISPs scored high marks across the board (see below for winners), only 65% of voters were satisfied or very satisfied with reliability of their wireless broadband.

The full results, including ratings given to major ISPs, are published today in the January 2010 issue of PC Authority magazine (see cover on right). More than 17,000 people voted in PC Authority's annual technology awards this year on ISPs, phone providers, laptop brands, security software and more.

The results also indicate widespread dissatisfaction with mobile phone service providers, in particular customer support. 19% of voters were either dissatisfied or very disatisfied with customer support (see below for the most highly ranked phone provider).

Westnet, iiNet, Internode most highly ranked wireless broadband ISPs
Highly Commended: Westnet, iiNet, Internode
The big surprise in the wireless broadband category was the high marks given to the three top-ranked ISPs. iiNet, Internode and Westnet all received relatively high marks across the board, with more than 90% of iiNet and Westnet voters satisfied or very satisfied with reliability. Only 43% of Optus users satisfied or very satisfied with value, compared with a miserable 21% for Telstra.

Customer service the major complaint for mobile phone users
Winner: TPG
Particularly dismal in the mobile phone provider category was the overall voting when it came to customer service. 19% indicated they were either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with customer service. Poor performers here were Telstra and Soul.

Fixed-line broadband - customer support and value still a concern
Winner: Westnet. Highly Commended: Amnet and Internode
As in previous years, the shining light in the fixed line broadband category was Westnet, with Amnet and Internode coming in second and third place. According to the votes, all three ISPs (and iiNet) appear to have the complete package, with high marks for support, reliability and value for money.

Security Software - big brands facing competition
Winner: Eset Smart Security. Highly Commended: Eset Nod32
The big brands in Internet security - Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro - should be worried by the continued following being built by their rivals. In particular, Eset blew away the competition this year, with users awarding it not only first place, for Eset Smart Security, but second place too, with Eset Nod32.

See full results: For the tables listing the full results for all categories, see the January 2010 issue of PC Authority magazine, on sale at your local newsagency now. Categories include:

Laptop & Netbook
PC
Printers
TV
Compact Digital Camera
Digital SLR Camera
Graphics Card
Motherboard
Smartphone
Online Retailer

PLUS: the PC Authority editorial team has chosen their list of the best products of the year, including the best netbook, best DSLR, best compact camera, and best smartphone.

6 comments in this discussion

".:Cyb3rGlitch:. wrote: I thought it was the other way around, TPG owns SOUL. It was a merger. From my understanding, TPG wanted to expand its network without having to build one. They ..."

By blockcentre

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Comments: 6

Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.

petergaskin Dec 13, 2009 9:53 PM	Cant believe that TPG won best mobile phone provider. Given that TPG is wholly owned and absorbed by SOUL - and that soul was among the lowest ranked mobile phone providers, many tpg mobile phone customers are in for a big shock! Comment made about the PC Authority article: PC Authority Best Tech Awards results: the best wireless broadband ISPs, mobile phone providers? Voters have indicated unhappiness with the reliability and value for money of wireless broadband, showing that it pays to do your research before committing to a lengthy wireless contract What do you think? Join the discussion.
.:Cyb3rGlitch:. Dec 13, 2009 10:03 PM	I thought it was the other way around, TPG owns SOUL.
petergaskin Dec 13, 2009 11:11 PM	According to the soul website, soul and tpg are now the one company. This behemoth is growing bigger and bigger. they have recently added chariot to the fold. interesting customer assistance - if you forget the 4 digit code included on their first invoice, no one wants to talk to you. in fact you can not even send them an email for any support without the magic code. Also, they expect you to notify a certain department if you do not want to continue with their mobile phone plan. the only problem is, they will not tell you how to contact the department. if you think i am not a great fan of soul - then you may be just right.
Slatts Dec 14, 2009 1:01 PM	That's why I prefer to deal with small companies. They're eager to keep your business and will bend over backwards to help you out. These big companies have no soul.:p
retta1 Dec 16, 2009 9:57 AM	I have the Telstra mobile wireless, while it is not great value for money $80 for 5Gb or 3Gb depending on which plan you are on. But in terms of coverage you cant beat it!
blockcentre Dec 18, 2009 10:48 AM	.:Cyb3rGlitch:. wrote: I thought it was the other way around, TPG owns SOUL. It was a merger. From my understanding, TPG wanted to expand its network without having to build one. They missed the opportunity to buy the Comindico IP network when SPT (Soul) beat them to it about 5 years ago. The merger made sense as Soul never really wanted to be a retail service - SPT was purely wholesale to smaller ISP's and TPG wanted to ditch as much Optus/Telstra services as possible increasing their bottom line.