Europe : 3, the UK's first video mobile network, has been voted "Network of the Year" by "What Cellphone", beating the old networks into second place.

"What Cellphone's" test team gave its verdict on the best hardware, services and software from the last twelve months in its awards for 2005. 3 beat competition from 02, Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Virgin Mobile to win "Network of the Year."

Bob Fuller ( inset ), Chief Executive said: "3 is the UK's fastest growing network and continues to set the agenda for 3G with great value price plans and exciting products and services. This award comes at the end of a good year for 3, which saw over 2.5 million customers on the 3 network. We're now looking forward to an even more challenging 2005."

On 3's great value
"What Cellphone" recognised 3's great value to consumers noting that "3's monthly plans made many non-3G alternatives seem exorbitant". Equally 3's pre-pay offer was heralded as great value and the size and specification of handsets made the competition look "under-specified and overpriced".

On 3's innovative services
3's services also improved with streaming capability and innovative offerings such as "Football at 5.15" and content bundles that were great value.

On 3's network coverage
By the end of 2004 and three years ahead of schedule, over 80% of the UK's population could access 3's video services in addition to 99% population coverage for voice and text.

A serious contender
"What Cellphone" recognised that in a short period of time, 3 has established the infrastructure, services and customer base to ensure "it will be a serious long-term threat to the better-known networks."

3's "Network of the Year" award follows several other accolades in 2004 including industry's "best pre-pay package" (Mobile Choice), best "consumer post-pay tariff" (Mobile Retailer) and "best mobile service" (What Mobile). The Link, the UK's leading specialist mobile phone retailer, announced that 3 had both the industry's top-selling contract and pay-as-you-go handsets over the Christmas period, making 3's great value, innovative services and leading handset range a winning combination.