The latest figures are in on the state of the UK’s fixed broadband networks and in a surprise result, there is one internet provider that has topped the tables for all five different measurements.

According to a new fixed broadband experience report from the team at Opensignal, Virgin Media has come out on top for consistent quality, download speed, upload speed, video experience and reliability experience, beating close rivals including Sky, BT and TalkTalk in the process.

Opensignal analysed the real-world fixed broadband experience of its users across the UK, as well as delving into the performance stats across 12 different regions, from 1 July to 28 September 2024. Opensignal works to independently measure the performance of millions of devices worldwide every day through its own app and via several partners, and has collated data from customers of Three, BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Vodafone.

Of all the categories, Virgin Media trounced its competitors when it comes to download speed. The average speeds for Virgin broadband customers up and down the UK was 157.4Mbps, which was more than double its closest rival Vodafone on 77.5Mbps.

Sitting plum last was EE with a national average speed of 45.9Mbps.

Virgin pipped Vodafone to a national high 90.4 percent score for consistent quality of connection, which Opensignal says “ measures how often a network, from the perspective of a single device once connectivity is established, meets the requirements for common applications”, and measures speed, latency and other factors.

Three’s score of 72.3 percent was lowest, as was its 443/1000 score for reliability, the only provider to score below 500, with Virgin Media winning with 763.

“Virgin Media wins all five of the overall experience awards outright,” Opensignal said. “This means that out of the UK’s national broadband providers, our Virgin Media users have the best available experience when streaming video, the fastest average download and upload speeds, and the most reliable, and the most consistent fixed broadband experience.

Although Virgin topped the charts nationally, it did not win out for every UK region. In London, figures were dominated by Community Fibre. The independent provider services much of London with its own fibre network, much like how Virgin Media has its own national network.

These are separate to Openreach, the BT-owned fibre network that is used by BT, EE, TalkTalk and others.

Meanwhile, Hyperoptic was crowned the winner in Scotland for upload speeds, video experience and reliability.