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[BroadbandChoices.co.uk | http://www.broadbandchoices.co .uk] has conducted a surveyto gauge public opinion on next-generation broadband, following the recent eForumGovernment conference. 61 per cent of internet users rated the ability to downloadDVD-quality films quickly as the service they most want from next generationbroadband. However, when respondents where asked if they would pay anything extrafor Super Fast 100Mb broadband services some 60 per cent responded either no or don t know .
Michael Phillips, product director at [BroadbandChoices.co.uk |http://www.broadbandchoices. co.uk] comments, The results clearly demonstratecontinued confusion amongst consumers regarding their need for faster connections.With future consumer demand still unclear, there is an argument for delaying UKbroadband network development in the short term and instead keeping track onbroadband progress in other countries so that we might learn from their experiences.
Consumers definitely want more from their broadband. When asked which futureservice would be of most interest? respondents rated 'downloading films' and'watching TV' as the most popular activities. However, broadband connections arecurrently not delivering, given that 'watching TV' or 'downloading films' presentlyaccounts for the least amount of time spent on the internet in a given week. Phillips stated This highlights the fact that the current services offered toconsumers are simply not of a high enough standard to warrant utilising thisservice, and that if speeds were improved consumers are more likely to use broadbandto watch TV and/or download films.
Obviously broadband has a long way to go if it is to encourage consumers to usethese kinds of services. Upgrading speeds to 100Mb would certainly a step forwardin terms of renewing a positive public perception of broadband, which is currentlymissing.
The key question is, if broadband has the capability for 100Mb speeds will ISPs beable to deliver this successfully to all of their customers?
At The Westminster eForum event Peter Phillips, a high-ranking Ofcom regulatorresponsible for its strategy policy, told the eForum that the UK had done "quitewell" in the current generation of broadband, but that the lessons learned must beapplied to future markets. There was also concern from several quarters, includingOfcom, over how to open up the debate and engage the public.
Phillips comments [BroadbandChoices.co.uk |http://www.broadbandchoices. co.uk]carried out over 100,000 of our own speed tests,and found that the average customer only got 39 per cent of their promised speed.Therefore, we would advise customers to switch to a light user package if they areonly checking e-mails and surfing the web as they will only being using a couple ofGigabytes of data in a month.
Phillips concludes: In summary, the research demonstrates a genuine interest infuture, significantly faster broadband services, although the jury is out on whetherconsumers would be willing to pay more for the privilege. Questions also hang overwhether ISPs will be able to consistently deliver 100Mb speeds since performance todate has been mixed, at best.
- Ends -
Notes to editor:
Overview of [BroadbandChoices.co.uk | http://www.broadbandchoices.co .uk]surveyresults (carried out by ICM research) based on a survey of 1027 respondents:
1. The highest number (61 per cent), of respondents rated ' downloading DVD qualityfilms in five minutes' as the service of most interest
2. Respondents rated 'watching TV' or 'downloading films' as being the least amountof time spent on the internet in a week, but then when asked which future servicewould be of most interest rated, 'downloading films' and 'watching TV' as the mostpopular. (Also broadbandchoices.co.uk s own speed test results, carried out inNovember found that the average customer only got 39 per cent of their promisedspeed.) 3. 100 per cent of the respondents used the internet for checking emails compared toonly 28 per cent who used it for watching TV programmes. 28% spend 6-10 hrs perweek checking emails and 27% spend 6-10 hrs per week surfing, shopping and banking.The least time spent using the Internet (only one-hour) was notably the highest forwatching videos, downloading films, playing video games and watching films
4. When respondents were asked if they would pay extra for significantly higherspeed broadband:
- 39 per cent said 'yes'- 30 per cent said 'no' - 30 per cent said 'don't know'
What activities do you carry out online?
- 100 % of respondents used the internet to check emails - 98% of respondents used the internet to surf/shop & bank- 28% of respondents used the internet to watch TV programmes- 56% of respondent used the internet to watch video clips- 46% of respondents used the internet to download music and films- 37% of respondents used the internet to listen to the radio- 49% of respondents used the internet to play online games
Of the respondents that cited these activities what number of hours spent pentweek was highest:
- 28% spend 6-10 hrs per week checking emails- 27% spend 6-10 hrs per week surfing, shopping & banking- 30% spend only 1hr per week watching videos- 18% spend only 1hr per week downloading films- 12% spend only 1hr per week listening to the radio- 8% spend only 1hr watching TV
Which future broadband services might you be interested in?
. This was followed by 48 per cent who rated 'downloading high definition TVprogrammes on demand'. The service which was of least interest was 'using highdefinition online gaming' at only 19 per cent.
Top light user packages
PlusNet Option 1 8Mb (1GB download limit) 9.99 per month (no set up feeand free 1 port router) Eclipse Option 1 8Mb (2GB download limit) 14.99 per month (1 month freeif switching / free modem / excellent customer service) Tesco Broadband Value 512K (3GB download limit) 13.97 per month (freemodem/set up)
Customers can their usage by downloading a usage meter (there is a free usage meteravailable on http://www.broadbandchoices.co .uk/broadband-download-monitor .html)
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 developmentsAccess to bespoke interactive tools (speed tester & download monitor)
