Customers brand TalkTalk worst major broadband provider in new Which? survey

Salford-headquartered TalkTalk has been named the worst major broadband provider by customers in a new Which? survey.

The company, which is set to increase its broadband prices by 14.2% from April 1, received a score of 51%, with users giving it the lowest possible ratings for technical support, customer service and speed.

However TalkTalk called the findings into question and said it is seeing its lowest ever levels of customers leaving.

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A TalkTalk spokesperson said: "We’re disappointed by Which?'s approach to research data and would urge them to use more considered and representative evidence.

"These findings are counter to TalkTalk’s recent encouraging trends in customer experience, following significant investment and improvements in customer service in recent months. We’re also seeing our lowest ever levels of customers leaving us."

BusinessLive reported earlier this week that TalkTalk is eyeing a sale of its business-to-business division in a deal that could be worth over £200m.

According to the annual satisfaction survey of almost 4,000 customers, the watchdog found that most of the biggest firms offer little more than unreliable connections, "appalling" customer service and "barely there" technical support despite announcing monthly bill increases from next month.

Virgin Media came 10th in the ranking with 54%, scoring poorly for customer service and technical support. Virgin’s monthly costs will go up by an average of 13.8% in April.

Sky came eighth with a score of 56%, with its customers the most likely to have experienced an issue with their connection in the past year.

Its price increase of 8.1% comes into force on Saturday,