TalkTalk bottom of the pile on Ofcom chart

by Steven Mostyn - Dec 21 2011, 15:55

If you happen to be a UK resident looking to switch Internet service provider (ISP), a new performance list from communications regulatory body Ofcom suggests there’s at least one worth avoiding.

Specifically, Ofcom’s latest ISP league table points an accusatory finger at TalkTalk after it emerged the provider received significantly more complaints than its rivals during 2011.

TalkTalk is—once again—considered to be the worst culprit when it comes to incoming complaints and, as such, is left propping up Ofcom’s table for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Taking a closer look, most of the user vitriol leveled at TalkTalk is apparently associated with billing errors, customer service and broadband Internet services.

If you’re looking for possible alternatives, Virgin Media and SKY both share top billing on Ofcom’s chart—although the former did suffer a jump in customer complaints during the last quarter.

It remains to be seen if Ofcom takes any official action against TalkTalk. However, it’s worth noting that it was hit with a monetary fine of £2.5 million GBP for its poor showing in 2010.

Hammering another nail into TalkTalk’s tarnished reputation, the provider last month revealed that some 43,000 customers have recently left for pastures greener due to customer service issues.

Ofcom bases its quarterly performance assessments on complaints submitted per 1,000 customers.

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