UK’s broadband firms ranked: Is yours first or last?
The latest complaint figures make bad reading for one of the nation's biggest telcos.
UK regulator Ofcom has totted up the latest slew of customer complaint stats to name and shame the most complained about broadband firms in the country, and it’s bad news for the firm that has also announced its updated 5G broadband service this week.
That firm is Vodafone, which has also just announced it is buying out Three’s owner to fully control the recently merged VodafoneThree network in the UK, which will make it the largest mobile network in the country by subscriber base.
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However, Vodafone was the most complained about broadband provider in the final quarter of 2025, from October to December. It amassed 11 complaints per 100,000 customers, with TalkTalk close behind with 10 complaints.
“It is disappointing to see an increase in customers complaints during this quarter, especially following a sustained period of decreases in the complaints we received about telecoms companies,” said Cristina Luna-Esteban, Ofcom’s Director of Consumers and Retail Markets.
“However, a main driver of these complaints appears to be an unexpected mid-contract price rise announcements for some mobile customers in the Autumn of 2025. We will continue to monitor the market including future complaints figures for any indication of ongoing customer dissatisfaction.”
BT and BT-owned EE were just behind as third most moaned about with eight, while Sky (seven), Plusnet (five) and Virgin Media (five) completed the list.
Vodafone fared better when it came to its mobile services, only registering two complaints per 100,000 from customers. The most complained about mobile provider was O2 with seven, in front of Sky Mobile (five) and iD Mobile (three).
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Three, EE and Tesco Mobile were the least complained about mobile firms with just one grumble per 100,000 customers.
“We’re incredibly proud once again to be recognised as one of Ofcom’s least complained-about mobile networks, and as the leading MVNO in the latest report,” said Laura Joseph, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Mobile.
“This recognition matters because it reflects the trust our customers place in us every day. We continue to listen carefully to feedback and use it to improve, so we can deliver simple, reliable service that families can depend on.”
Brits also continued to register grievances with landline providers at the end of 2025, with one eye on the end of the copper based landline in January 2027, when services will all need to be digital and run over a broadband connection.
NOW Broadband got six complaints per 100,000, the joint-most complained about firm alongside EE, followed by TalkTalk, Plusnet and BT on five, Vodafone on three, Sky and Virgin Media on two and Utility Warehouse with just one.
"While complaint volumes across the telecoms sector have stabilised, broadband complaints continue to sit far above those for mobile services,” said Alex Tofts, Strategist at comparison service Broadband Genie.
“Although this report focuses on the seven major providers, over half of these brands are performing below the industry average. This is a clear signal that service quality is not meeting consumer expectations. No customer should have to tolerate sub-par service when there are heaps of other options available.”
Tofts said disgruntled broadband buyers should look to switch provider to get a better price, taking advantage of the One Touch Switch initiative, which makes it easier to change services.
