Ofcom releases list of most complained about broadband and network providers in the UK

We"ve all been forced to contend with network providers" shenanigans on more than one occasion. Whether it"s a case of downed internet, throttled speeds or other issues too hard to describe to an exhausted, underpaid customer service agent (or bot), it"s a universally acknowledged fact that fate has a cruel sense of humor when it comes to all the times you"d desperately need a working data connection but end up forcing yourself to deal with the great outdoors instead.

For people like us, the UK government"s communications regulation body, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) has put together its research data in order to provide a definitive list of data providers that have a tendency to do their job inadequately, as of Q1 2018, at least.

Topping the list of most-complained about mobile provider is Virgin Mobile at 11 complaints per 100,000 customers, whereas TalkTalk earns the crown for most problematic broadband provider, at 29 per 100,000; a January 2018 survey of 1,900 broadband users by Which? indicated that broadband customers are most often driven to complain because of speed and reliability issues.

Over on the flip side, Tesco Mobile takes the cake on the mobile provider front for the least number of clamoring customers at a paltry 1 complaint for every 100,000 users. Moreover, Sky claims the mantle of fewest irritated broadband connection users at 5 per 100,000.

There"s a lot that contributes towards a customer needing a provider"s support, among which are simple, user-facing technical errors such as busted routers or a senior citizen wondering why the smartphone receives no signal on airplane mode. But given none of these are exclusive to any one carrier or provider, here"s hoping this list gives you a nifty way to vote with your wallet.

Source: Which? | Image: LinusTechTips Forums (PhotoBucket)