Broadband Complaints Q2 2026: Virgin Media Fewest

Last updated: 27 October 2026

Which broadband provider has the fewest complaints? In Ofcom’s latest figures, published on 26 October 2026 for April to June 2026, Virgin Media drew the fewest broadband complaints of the big providers, at 4 per 100,000 customers, followed by Plusnet and Sky on 5 each, and when we checked on 27 October 2026, Virgin Media’s broadband deals came with £0 setup when you self-install. BT, EE, TalkTalk and Vodafone were joint most complained about, on 7 each, against an industry average of 6. The figures are small in absolute terms and only count complaints people took to Ofcom, so treat them as one input alongside price, speed and contract terms, not the whole decision. This SwitchSquid guide sets out the full table for the last four quarters, what the numbers do and don’t tell you, how to complain if your broadband lets you down, and how to switch if you have had enough. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page; it doesn’t change the price you pay.

Sources: Ofcom, Latest telecoms and pay-TV complaints revealed (26 October 2026), Ofcom telecoms and pay-TV complaints report and ISPreview’s four-quarter tables, all checked on 27 October 2026.

Broadband complaints by provider: Ofcom Q2 2026 table

Ofcom publishes complaints per 100,000 customers so that a giant like BT and a smaller provider like Plusnet can be compared fairly. Here are the last four quarters for fixed broadband. Lower is better.

Figures are complaints to Ofcom per 100,000 residential broadband customers. Ofcom only lists providers with at least 1.5% market share, so smaller full fibre firms such as Hyperoptic, Community Fibre or Zen do not appear.

What the Q2 2026 figures tell you

Three things stand out in this release.

Virgin Media has turned a corner. A year ago it sat at 7 complaints per 100,000. It is now the least complained-about big provider at 4. Virgin Media O2 has said publicly that it set out two years ago to fix its customer service, and the trend supports that.

TalkTalk improved the most. It had sat at 10 for three quarters running and dropped to 7. That still leaves it joint bottom, but the gap has closed. Ofcom also notes that BT Group announced a deal to buy TalkTalk Group in October 2026, after the period these figures cover, so expect TalkTalk’s future direction to be tied to BT’s.

The overall level is low. An industry average of 6 per 100,000 means that for every provider, the vast majority of customers never complain to the regulator at all. The difference between 4 and 7 is real, but it is a difference of three people in 100,000.

Ofcom says the main reasons people complained about broadband, landline and mobile in this period were faults, service quality and problems getting a service connected. Those are worth weighing more heavily than billing complaints, because a slow repair can leave you offline for days.

What Ofcom’s complaint numbers don’t tell you

Complaints data is useful, but it has blind spots you should know about before you let it decide your next provider.

• It only counts complaints made to Ofcom. Most people complain to their provider first and many never go further. Complaints that go to an ombudsman are not in these figures either.

• One complaint can be counted under more than one issue, so the reason breakdown can add up to more than the total.

• Small providers are missing. With a 1.5% market share threshold, many full fibre alternative networks never appear, even if their service is excellent.

• It is a three-month snapshot. Figures move by one or two points between quarters, so look at the trend over a year rather than a single release.

• It says nothing about price or speed. The provider with the fewest complaints may not be available at your address, or may cost more than a well-rated rival.

For a fuller picture, pair Ofcom’s data with what is actually available on your street and the total cost over the contract. Our best broadband deals for October 2026 and cheapest full fibre broadband guides cover that side.

Landline, mobile and pay-TV complaints at a glance

If you buy a bundle, the other services matter too. Here is how the same quarter looked for landline, pay monthly mobile and pay TV.

• Landline: fewest complaints for Utility Warehouse (1 per 100,000), then Sky, Virgin Media and Vodafone (2 each); most for Plusnet (10, up from 7). Industry average 3.

• Pay monthly mobile: Ofcom named EE, giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Three, Vodafone and iD Mobile as the least complained-about, and Sky Mobile (3) and O2 (2) as the most. Industry average 2.

• Pay TV: fewest for TalkTalk (0.2); most for EE (4), then Virgin Media (3). Industry average 2.

The interesting split is Plusnet. It is among the least complained-about providers for broadband, yet the most complained-about for landline, with customers mainly unhappy about how complaints were handled. Sky Mobile’s complaints were mostly about switching away, so if you plan to leave it, request your PAC code early.

How to complain about your broadband provider

Ofcom does not take up individual complaints, but the rules it sets give you a clear route.

1. Complain to your provider first. Use the complaints route on its website or app, not just a fault report. Keep a note of the date, a reference number and what you were told.

2. Ask about automatic compensation. Most big providers are signed up to Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme, which pays fixed amounts for slow repairs, missed engineer appointments and delayed starts, without you having to claim.

3. Escalate after eight weeks. If the problem is not sorted within eight weeks, or the provider sends a “deadlock” letter saying it will not do more, you can take your complaint to its alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme: either the Communications Ombudsman or CISAS. It is free, and the provider must say which scheme it uses.

4. Consider leaving. If your speed falls below the minimum guaranteed in your contract and the provider cannot fix it, many providers let you leave without a penalty under Ofcom’s voluntary speed code. Ask for this in writing.

How to switch broadband provider without the hassle

Switching is easier than it used to be. Under One Touch Switch, your new provider contacts your old one and arranges the changeover, so you no longer need to call to cancel or give 30 days’ notice yourself. Your old contract ends as the new one starts, so there should be no overlap of bills or gap in service.

Before you order:

• Check your contract end date in your current provider’s app. If you are still in contract, you may pay early exit fees; some providers offer credit towards them.

• Check availability at your address. Virgin Media’s cable and full fibre network does not reach everywhere, so put in your postcode before you fall for a deal.

• Look at the total cost. Add up the monthly price over the full contract, including any April price rises and set-up fees, and compare that figure, not just the headline.

Our One Touch Switch guide and how to switch broadband provider walk through each step. If you are with BT or Sky now, see our Sky broadband alternatives and BT deals for existing customers.

If fewer complaints matters most: Virgin Media

If service is your main worry, Virgin Media is the obvious one to check first this quarter. Beyond the lowest complaints figure, when we checked on 27 October 2026 it charged no setup fee on its broadband deals when you self-install, and its gigabit packages include a WiFi guarantee: at least 30Mbps in every room or £100 credit. Gig1 averages 1,130Mbps downloads, and broadband-only plans start from its M125 package. These are new-customer prices, available only in Virgin Media areas, and a credit check applies.

Fit summary

• Good fit for Virgin Media: you want the provider with the fewest complaints this quarter, it is available at your address and you value fast download speeds.

• Good fit for Sky or Plusnet: you want another low-complaint name, or Virgin Media is not available where you live.

• Think twice: you are with a provider that has been above average for a year and you have had faults yourself. Your own experience counts for more than any table.

• Stay put: your service is reliable, you are in contract and leaving would cost more in exit fees than you would save.

Want a second opinion? Squid AI, SwitchSquid’s AI assistant, can help you weigh complaints, speed and price for the providers available at your postcode.

Important conditions

• Complaint figures are Ofcom’s per 100,000 customers for April to June 2026, published on 26 October 2026. They only include complaints made to Ofcom.

• Virgin Media offers are for new customers, subject to availability at your address, network capacity and a credit check. Engineer installation costs £30 if you choose it when self-install is possible.

• Prices and offers were checked on 27 October 2026 and can change at any time.

FAQ

Which broadband provider has the fewest complaints in the UK?

Virgin Media, according to Ofcom’s figures for April to June 2026, published on 26 October 2026. It received 4 complaints per 100,000 customers, against an industry average of 6. Plusnet and Sky followed on 5 each.

Which broadband provider is the most complained about?

In Q2 2026, BT, EE, TalkTalk and Vodafone were joint highest at 7 complaints per 100,000 customers. TalkTalk and Vodafone both improved on the previous quarter, BT stayed the same and EE rose by one.

How often does Ofcom publish complaints data?

Ofcom publishes telecoms and pay-TV complaints figures every quarter. The latest release, covering April to June 2026, came out on 26 October 2026; we will update this page when the next one is published.

Why are smaller broadband providers not in Ofcom’s table?

Ofcom only reports providers with at least 1.5% of the market, because smaller numbers would be too volatile to compare fairly. That means providers such as Hyperoptic, Community Fibre and Zen are not included, however good or bad their service is.

How do I complain to the broadband ombudsman?

First complain to your provider. If it is not resolved within eight weeks, or you get a deadlock letter, you can take it free of charge to your provider’s alternative dispute resolution scheme, either the Communications Ombudsman or CISAS. Your provider must tell you which one it uses.

Can I leave my broadband contract if the service is bad?

Sometimes. If your speed falls below the minimum guaranteed in your contract and your provider cannot fix it, many providers let you leave without penalty. An ombudsman can also order a provider to release you or pay compensation if a complaint is upheld.

Is Virgin Media broadband good now?

On complaints, yes: Virgin Media had the fewest of any large broadband provider in Ofcom’s Q2 2026 figures, down from 7 a year earlier. Whether it suits you also depends on whether its network reaches your address and on the price compared with rivals.

Final decision card

Ofcom’s Q2 2026 figures put Virgin Media first on service, with 4 complaints per 100,000 customers, ahead of Plusnet and Sky on 5, while BT, EE, TalkTalk and Vodafone trail on 7. If you are out of contract and Virgin Media reaches your home, it is worth a look; if not, Sky and Plusnet are the next-best names on this measure. Either way, check the total cost over the contract before you switch.