Talk Talk and Three named and shamed by Ofcom

TalkTalk - probably a bit annoyed with its customers right now
TalkTalk - probably a bit annoyed with its customers right now

Ofcom has released its list of most-complained about telecoms providers, revealing that TalkTalk and Three are the most complained about companies.

For landline and broadband services, the report examines BT Retail, BSkyB, TalkTalk Group and Virgin Media.

TalkTalk in particular came out of the report badly; from October 2010 to February 2011, 1.7 customers per 1,000 complained about its landline services, while 1.27 complained about their broadband; far more complaints than the other companies received.

However, it was a bad period for TalkTalk; the complaints peaked in November last year when it emerged that the company had been billing some customers for services that were already cancelled.

Not so talktalkative now

We're hoping that TalkTalk will respond to our request for a reaction, but so far the company has been tight-lipped on the matter.

Virgin Media takes the prize for being the least complained about provider on both the landline and broadband side.

Unsurprisingly, the company was a little more forthcoming than TalkTalk. Neil Berkett, CEO at Virgin Media, said: "Delivering outstanding customer service has been our highest priority and we're pleased to see Ofcom's report demonstrates our approach is generating the right results.

"However we are still on an ongoing journey; building an impeccable customer-centric organisation takes time and dedication and we're committed to making Virgin Media the only choice for customers looking for the best products, coupled with the best customer service of any digital entertainment provider in the UK."

On the mobile side, O2 customers proved the most contented, while Three received the most complaints; but it's worth noting that, as you can see from the graph below, all mobile phone networks received less than half a complaint per 1,000 customers.

Good work, mobile networks.

Ofcom mobile graph

News Editor (UK)

Former UK News Editor for TechRadar, it was a perpetual challenge among the TechRadar staff to send Kate (Twitter, Google+) a link to something interesting on the internet that she hasn't already seen. As TechRadar's News Editor (UK), she was constantly on the hunt for top news and intriguing stories to feed your gadget lust. Kate now enjoys life as a renowned music critic – her words can be found in the i Paper, Guardian, GQ, Metro, Evening Standard and Time Out, and she's also the author of 'Amy Winehouse', a biography of the soul star.

Latest in Network Providers
Mint Mobile customer service review
Mint Mobile unlimited plan customers have just received an easy-to-miss but crucial upgrade
Verizon branded sim card on purple background with don't miss text overlay
PSA: Verizon's awesome home internet deal is expiring this week - don't miss your chance to get a year of Netflix
Visible branded SIM card on magenta background with don't miss text overlay
Ending tomorrow: last chance to get an unlimited data plan for just $20/mo at Visible Wireless
A satellite over the earth next to hands holding as phone making a satellite video call with a man in Wales.
Vodafone makes 'world's first' satellite video call with a standard phone – here's why that's a big deal
Verizon branded sim card on purple background with don't miss text overlay
Verizon's excellent home internet deal from Black Friday is still available: get a full year of Netflix for free
Mint Mobile branded SIM card on grey background with don't text overlay
Quick: Mint Mobile's awesome half-price unlimited plan deal is due to end soon
Latest in News
inZOI promotional material.
inZOI has become the most wishlisted game on Steam, but I wouldn't get too caught up in the hype
Xbox Series X and Xbox wireless controller set to a green background
Xbox Insiders are currently testing a new Game Hub feature that looks useful, but I've got mixed feelings about it
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
Microsoft Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices on a table.
Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC
Oura Ring 4
Activity tracking on Oura Ring is about to get a whole lot better, but I've got bad news about your step count
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Cleaned your Pixel Buds Pro 2 recently? If not, you might be getting worse sound