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BroadbandChoices.co.uk today reveals that consumers believe they are paying too muchfor their broadband each month. 69 per cent of respondents surveyed said they wouldchange broadband supplier if they were offered a cheaper package and 51 per centwould move to a supplier that could offer them faster connection speeds, accordingto ICM research commissioned by BroadbandChoices.co.uk .
Worryingly the research highlighted that a significant number of consumers could bewasting money because they won t switch for the following reasons:- 29 per cent can t be bothered to switch- 43 per cent were worried about getting tied into a lengthy contract; and - 35 per cent were mistakenly convinced they wouldn t get the same level of deal orpackage elsewhere.
BroadbandChoices.co.uk has calculated that a user could potentially save up to 141.60 a year by changing their broadband supplier.
Michael Phillips, product development director at BroadbandChoices.co.uk comments, It seems that consumers are still baffled by the broadband minefield. Switchingbroadband provider can potentially get you a faster Internet connection, betterservice and it can save you money. Moreover, if consumers shop around, it needn tmean entering into a punitive long-term contract. Consumers should act now in orderto get the best deal for 2008.
If you are only checking emails and surfing the web for example, then it is best toswitch to a light user package, since you will only be using a couple of gigabytesof data in a month. A lower cost package like PlusNet Option 1 would be perfectlyadequate.
Switching for Customer Service
Customer satisfaction figures make worrying reading for broadband providers: Ofcomhas found that levels of satisfaction with broadband suppliers have dropped from 92per cent last year to 88 per cent in 2007 . Interestingly, 36 per cent ofrespondent s would consider switching for improved customer service. Phillipsstates, PlusNet is an excellent example of an ISP that has award winning customerservice and does not have a contractual tie in.
Alternatively, customer service levels are also improving at TalkTalk where theyoffer the most competitive phone and broadband bundle in the UK. Sky broadband anddigital TV bundle also offers excellent value and has won customer service awardsdespite being relatively new to the broadband market.
Notes to editor:
i One in four people are looking to switch broadband provider. (source: Ofcom The Consumer Experience report November 2007)
ii Annual saving based on an average cost of 16.30 per month for a standalonebroadband package (source: Ofcom The Consumer Experience report November 2007)switching to Virgin Media Broadband:M at 4.50 per month (see table below).
iii Research conducted in November 2007, 1034 UK adults aged over 18 years werequestioned.
iv Levels of satisfaction with broadband suppliers has dropped from 92 per centlast year to 88 per cent in 2007 - prompting the desire to switch. (source: Ofcom The Consumer Experience Report November 2007)
Cheapest UK Broadband Packages: for full table of best buy packages, please emaillouise.mapp@ascentpr.co. uk
About BroadbandChoices.co.uk: http://www.BroadbandChoices.co .ukBroadbandChoices.co.uk is a broadband comparison service in the UK. Unlike othercomparison sites, BroadbandChoices.co.uk doesn t just focus on price but totalpackage value. Consumers can now refer to this impartial Website to access thelatest broadband advice and deals, to help them make the right choice.
What makes BroadbandChoices.co.uk different: Most comprehensive range of consumer guides and advice Emphasis on value rather than cost alone Variety of ways to rank products according to individual priorities Detailed product information A community of like minded people where you can read reviews or share yourthoughts Up-to-date information regarding key industry developments Access to bespoke interactive tools
