The shortlist for the 2026 Mobile News Awards has been announced, revealing the companies recognized as leaders in lifecycle services, customer experience, and enterprise innovation. A panel of industry experts spent ten days evaluating 124 entries submitted for the annual awards.
A select group of businesses distinguished themselves by being shortlisted in four or more award categories. These companies include Global Telecom Networks, Likewize, MTR Group, and TMT First. Their repeated presence across diverse categories indicates strength in multiple disciplines, from device refurbishment and logistics to customer service and technological innovation.
Other notable repeat finalists, each appearing in multiple categories, are EE, Envirofone, Fonehouse, Lebara Mobile, iOutlet, musicMagpie, Back Market, Pangea Connect, Pelion, plan.com, Radius, Vodafone Business, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone.
circular economy Firms Prominent
Companies operating in the device refurbishment, trade-in, and resale sectors were among the most frequently shortlisted. TMT First, Likewize, MTR Group, Envirofone, musicMagpie, Back Market, and Mazuma Mobile all appeared in categories such as Refurbishment Programme, Secondary Market Facilitator, and Trade-In Resale.
This prominence reflects a significant shift in the mobile industry. Lifecycle services are now considered a core commercial activity for networks, distributors, and retailers, rather than a niche operation. Refurbishment, buyback, and resale have become essential components of the mobile value chain.
Customer Service Recognition
The shortlist also highlighted companies excelling in service quality for both consumer and business markets. Global Telecom Networks, Pangea Connect, and Uplands Telco One were featured in multiple enterprise-focused service categories.
In the consumer sector, EE, Fonehouse, Big Phone Store, and Lebara Mobile were repeat finalists for customer-service awards. Service levels are increasingly a key differentiator for companies, alongside factors like pricing and product availability.
Network Innovation Focus
Major network operators investing in new technologies also featured repeatedly. Vodafone Business was shortlisted across categories including 5G Advanced, Innovative Product, and Network Business. Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone appeared in various network and innovation categories.
Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) and connectivity specialists, including Pelion, Cellhire, and plan.com, were recognized in both MVNO and innovation awards. This trend underscores the rapid evolution in areas such as eSIM deployment, AI-driven network management, and enterprise connectivity services.
Retailers Expand Services
Retail and online resale specialists demonstrated strong performance by bridging sales with lifecycle services. Fonehouse, iOutlet, Back Market, MTR Group, and musicMagpie appeared across both retail and secondary-market categories.
This illustrates how the traditional device sales model is evolving to incorporate trade-in, refurbishment, and resale offerings. For retailers facing margin pressure on new devices, these lifecycle services are becoming a vital revenue stream.
A Maturing Industry Channel
Collectively, the 2026 shortlist indicates a mobile industry channel that is growing more sophisticated, service-oriented, and circular. The companies achieving recognition are those that successfully integrate customer experience, logistics, refurbishment expertise, and connectivity innovation.
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony on March 19 at The London Hilton on Park Lane. The event is expected to be attended by over 400 senior industry figures. A full list of finalists is available from the awards organization.
Source: Mobile News Awards
