Why Use a Broadband Comparison Website to Compare Broadband Prices?

November 12th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

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Since the economy took a dive, a lot of new marketing and customer rewards programs have sprung up in the UK. Many of these programs are designed to lure you away from your current provider with promises of better speeds, flashy gadgets and new features. If you are in the position to renew a contract there are some great deals to be found when you compare broadband prices.

Keep this in mind before signing up for the cheapest deal. How is their customer service, do a Google search for the companies name + complaints. See how many complaints exist and what people are saying about the company.

One thing you may notice is that the cheapest deal is not necessarily the best one. So by making good use of comparison sites, like they can help you make an informed decision about which broadband package to shoot for.

Another thing to look for is the Ofcom Price Accreditation. This ensures that accredited sites provide users with accurate prices that are both comprehensive and up to date. To date there is just three sites that have obtained accredited status,, one of which is BroadbandChoices.

Ofcom Price Accredited comparison sites have been put through a thorough and independent audit to show consumers they are offering the best of information to their end users, making them a better bet for ensuring your are getting honest, accurate information.

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BRITAIN’S BROADBAND BUGBEARS REVEALED

September 28th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

28 SEPTEMBER 2009

• Connection reliability top priority for broadband users – ahead of speed or value for money.
• Approx 7.6 million broadband customers feel disappointed in their ISP’s service2

A new survey1of some 4,000 broadband customers conducted by Broadbandchoices.co.uk has revealed what is most important to broadband users and also what aspects cause the most dissatisfaction and drive them to lodge a complaint.

When asked to identify the most important aspect of their broadband service, over a third (34% – the top answer) said connection reliability. This was followed by speed of connection (30%) whilst value for money lagged behind with 23% of respondents choosing this as the most important requirement from their broadband service.

When asked if they felt their ISP had lived up to its promises, almost half (47%) said no. Top gripe (70%) was disappointment with connection speed; reliability issues with the broadband connection received 32%. Over a third (36%) felt let down by their ISP’s customer service.

Michael Phillips, product director of Broadbandchoices.co.uk said:
“It is surprising to see that broadband users valued connection reliability ahead of value for money, customer service and even speed of broadband connection.

“Nine years after broadband was first introduced in the UK, it’s troubling to find that nearly half of broadband customers claim that the service isn’t living up to their expectations.

“The main reason for dissatisfaction is overwhelmingly because of broadband speed, demonstrating that ISPs are still falling short when it comes to meeting their customer’s expectations after advertising unattainable headline speeds in the media.

“The most disappointing findings from our research was how over half (55%) of respondents who had lodged a complaint with their ISP felt it did not reach a successful resolution. Whilst raising a complaint is never easy, consumers can significantly reduce any hassle and dramatically improve their chances of having their complaint quickly resolved by following our 10 tips to effective complaints resolution, below.”
1. Be wise before the event. Even if your relationship with the ISP is running smoothly, make sure that your paperwork is in order. Keep your bills filed in chronological order and keep all correspondence between yourself and the ISP.
2. Always approach your ISP first with any complaints or grievances and insist that they explain their official complaints procedure to you before you enter into a dispute.
3. Tell them, in writing, of your grievance and that you wish to enter into an official complaints procedure.
4. Maintain a call log detailing each call that you made to your ISP. Include such details as the time and date of the call, and the name of the person that you spoke with.
5. Remember any passwords or keywords that you might need, your claim will lack credibility if you forget.
6. Use bank statements to add credibility to your claims, particularly those concerned with billing errors.
7. When communicating with your ISP, be both patient and personable. Don’t raise your voice or get irritable. Make sure that you’re targeting the correct department and the right people with your complaints.
8. Insist on written confirmation of any changes to your contract, or any verbal agreements that are made over the phone.
9. If you have exhausted your ISP’s complaints procedure with no resolution after 8 weeks, contact Cisas or Otelo, and ask them to advise you on the next step you should take.
10. If all else fails, get legal help – Which? Legal Services provides low cost, smart consumer legal advice.
Notes to editors
¹ Broadbandchoices.co.uk Broadband Complaints Survey 2009, carried out in June/July 2009 – 4,165 respondents with internet access at home. 3,950 respondents had broadband access. 47.3% of respondents with broadband access stated that in their view, their ISP had not lived up to its promises
2 ONS 2006 estimates: 25,751,000 households in UK; ONS 2009 estimates: 63% of UK households have broadband access; 47.3% of 16,223,130 households = 7,673,540 households/customers


For further information please contact:

Michael Phillips/Jon Ingram Broadbandchoices.co.uk 020 7700 3245
Karen Wagg/Emily Church Polhill Communications 020 7655 0540

About Broadbandchoices.co.uk

Broadbandchoices.co.uk was launched in 2005 and is the UK’s leading Ofcom accredited broadband comparison calculator, allowing visitors to easily compare broadband services

We offer comprehensive and impartial advice on broadband, mobile broadband and bundled packages (broadband with home phone and digital TV) saving our users over £250 when they switch.

The Broadbandchoices.co.uk calculator compares thousands of different combinations of packages and provides results in a clear, intuitive table where users can rank and compare services according to their individual needs.

Broadbandchoices.co.uk powers over 20 leading comparison services including Confused.com, Comparethemarket.com and GoCompare.com.

Broadbandchoices.co.uk – working hard to save you money

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Free line rental arrives from the post office

August 29th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

It would appear that we’re finally seeing the results of increased competition in the home phone marketplace. The last bastion of resistance, charges for use of a BT landline, is finally crumbling. The post office, long to be commended for their simple understandable approach to customer service, is offering a package for home phone and broadband that at just over 20 pounds per month seemingly includes free line rental.

Or at the very least is billed to imply this. No doubt, BT is still receiving their wholesale payment from the RBS Post Office, but we as consumers needn’t be concerned with this. Our only concern should be the bottom line, how much we are paying every month for the services we desire. Popular consumer assistance website homephonechoices.co.uk has assembled a superb comparison of all the best deals for home phone service available in the United Kingdom.

And because so many UK consumers are now connected to the Internet, Home Phone Choices has constructed these reviews both with and without broadband bundling. In order to simplify the process of comparing telecommunications services for the home, Home Phone Choices has placed on their website’s home page a simple to use service comparison tool. To use this free tool one merely enters their post code into a box, selects the degree of service they prefer and clicks to compare prices.

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BROADBANDCHOICES.CO.UK SECURES ACCREDITATION FROM INDUSTRY WATCHDOG OFCOM FOR SECOND YEAR RUNNING

August 27th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

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Broadbandchoices.co.uk, one of the industry’s leading price comparison sites for broadband, today announces its price comparison calculator has been awarded with accreditation by industry regulator Ofcom for the second year running.

This prestigious seal of approval recognises the transparency and accuracy of the site’s calculator, as well as acknowledging the comprehensive services it offers. Accreditation compliance is monitored by Ofcom on an ongoing basis but every 12 months accredited companies have to formally re-qualify. Ofcom and their technical consultants conduct a detailed evaluation of the methods Broadbandchoices.co.uk uses to generate comparison calculation tables, the variables by which consumers can rank results and the comprehensiveness of the calculator in terms of the range of suppliers and different packages on offer.

This endorsement allows the Broadbandchoices.co.uk comparison calculator to carry the prestigious Ofcom accreditation mark and for consumers to continue using Broadbandchoices.co.uk with the confidence that it is a reliable source of comparative price information.

Michael Phillips, product director of Broadbandchoices.co.uk, said:
“We’re proud to maintain our position as the leading Ofcom accredited broadband comparison calculator in the UK for the second year running. We have worked closely with Ofcom to ensure Broadbandchoices.co.uk provides a comprehensive, accurate and transparent service and we are delighted that we continue to meet the high standards Ofcom demands.”

“In a financial climate where household services and bills are continually being re-evaluated, customers can continue to be assured of the quality of service and accuracy of information they will receive when they visit Broadbandchoices.co.uk and use our comparison calculator”

About Broadbandchoices.co.uk

Broadbandchoices.co.uk was launched in 2005 and is the UK’s leading Ofcom accredited broadband comparison calculator.

We offer comprehensive and impartial advice on broadband, mobile broadband and bundled packages (broadband with home phone and digital TV) saving our users over £230 when they switch.

The Broadbandchoices.co.uk calculator compares thousands of different combinations of packages and provides results in a clear, intuitive table where users can rank and compare broadband services according to their individual needs.

Broadbandchoices.co.uk powers over 20 leading comparison services including Confused.com, Comparethemarket.com and GoCompare.com.

Broadbandchoices.co.uk – working hard to save you money

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Repercussions home phone and broadband packaging

August 21st, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

By now almost everyone in the UK has grown accustomed to and accepted British Telecom’s 1 pound per month increase in the charge for line rental. This of course is the charge from BT to BT customers. Other home phone service companies using BT’s copper cable that have the means to carry their service into your home are charged less by British telecom and consequently charge their customers less.

British telecom competitors such as Primus, Post Office home phone and Yourcalls.net are obviously not in the position to offer free line rental that can undercut the BT price by around 3 pounds per month. Free consumer assistance for home phone matters website Home Phone Choices reports that switching home phone service providers just to save these particular three quid is probably not worth the bother. Home phone choices does suggest however that if any of the major BT competitors have other services bundled with home phone such as home phone and broadband combined, then the likely savings are well worth changing over for.

Still, one wonders why solid loyal BT customers are charged more than those who choose their competitors. In light of BT’s recent line rental increase, would a mass desertion of the BT customers force British Telecom to take a more competitive approach? And for that matter if companies such as Talk Talk and Virgin Media are going to give us home phone service as almost a throw in with the purchase of broadband and television channels is it not simply time to leave BT and move on to better deals.

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Location, location, location for home phone and broadband

August 17th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

There is an old axiom for those in the real estate business stating that the three most important factors for sales are location, location, and location. While that humor has long gone stale, the application of the idea seems to transfer very well to what we as UK consumers must pay for our home phone service. Companies such as Tiscali and Virgin Media have been busying themselves with the creation of new fiber optic communications networks in various locations around the United Kingdom.

Those fortunate enough to be served by this new technology generally receive far lower prices for combined home phone and broadband service. This new fiber optic network eliminates the need for the base BT landline. Closer comparison shows that Virgin Media still charges for landline rental while Tiscali broadband now offers completely free line rental. A quick comparison of home phone service found at homephonechoices.co.uk reveals that presently only Post Office home phone service and Tiscali have eliminated line rental charges by bundling services together.

Of course, we must remember that many companies only offer their services in certain parts of the United Kingdom. In order to find what is absolutely the best deal on home phone service in your area you will need to use a location specific comparison tool for home phone service. Such a tool is available for use free of charge at homephonechoices.co.uk.

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Compare Broadband Deals to Save Money!

July 9th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

Comparing broadband prices is one way householders in the UK can cut their bills. Many of us forget that shopping around can save money on recurring bills in fact, research from leading broadband comparison website, broadbandchoices, states that around 30% of UK broadband users completely overlook the savings that can be gained by taking a broadband and phone package (known commonly as a broadband bundle).

How Much Could be Saved with Broadband Bundles?

The same research from broadbandchoices showed that savings of up to £230 per year are possible.

There is more to gain than just saving money as well. If you shop around you can oftentimes find deals for faster broadband connections, and perhaps with better limits on your broadband allowance (or indeed perhaps an unlimited broadband deal)

Free Wireless Routers, Laptops And More!

Another reason that people should compare broadband, with a view to swaping suppliers is the amount of freebies given out these days by broadband providers. With landline broadband deals it tends to be things like wirless routers, enabling you to have WiFi in your home, and even surf the net from your garden. Whereas mobile broadband providers tend to give things like free netbooks or laptops in exchange for new contracts.

So as you can see, keeping an eye on the best offerings from various broadband suppliers by using a comparison site like broadband choices can not only save you money, but also help get you some nice techy hardware for free!

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Broadband Market Remains Healthy Compared to Other Industries…

July 1st, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

The financial crisis has hit many industrial, causing job losses and money woes aplenty. One area that has survived seemingly unscathed by the current economic downturn is the broadband marketplace.

Broadband is one of the fastest growing of all the ‘new media’ type industries, with over 60% of UK houses benefiting from a broadband connection of some description (usually either ADSL or Cable Broadband).

Prices of broadband, especially mobile broadband appear to be coming down, which may account for the healthy state of the industry.

UK bill payers these days tend to compare different utilities before deciding on a provider, and the broadband market is no exception to this.

Broadband comparison is big business these days, and may well benefit the consumer…

As broadband providers know that their deals will more than likely appear on comparison websites, allowing consumers to compare their offerings against those of their competitors, they are perhaps more likely to keep their prices down, and their services higher.

If you wish to compare broadband deals, then it may be time you took a visit to the broadbandchoices website, it is one of the few broadband comparison sites that is actually accredited by ofcom.

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Ways For Householders to Save Money – Compare Broadband Deals…

June 30th, 2009 by admin | 1 Comment | Filed in Press Releases

Let’s face it, these days we could all do with saving on our household bills, and cutting down on outgoings in general. The problem comes when trying to decide which bills to cut, and how.

Many people overlook one way they can save money. Utility bills are one of the biggest expenses of most households, yet the vast majority of people simply renew their services with the same companies rather than shopping around.

One way that you can try to shave a few pounds without feeling the pinch too much is to compare your utility providers, to see if you can get a better deal.

Internet savvy UK householders are turning to comparison sites to find the best deals on various services, and broadband is fast becoming the most popular.

Broadbandchoices offers a broadband comparison service second to none. On their site, you can simply enter your postcode, and search for the best broadband deals for you.

It is not just people that are looking for the best deal on household internet connections that can compare broadband at broadbandchoices, those looking for mobile internet contracts can also use the site to get the best packages for them.

The site also hosts a wealth of information on all things relating to broadband, with guides and info sheets on everything from the best ways to keep your kids protected online, to the various antivirus packages available to you.

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UK BROADBAND CUSTOMERS NAME THEIR FAVOURITE PROVIDERS IN THE BROADBANDCHOICES.CO.UK 2009 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY – Compare Broadband News

June 26th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

A record number of over 10,000 people have given their opinion of their broadband provider in the
latest Broadband Customer Satisfaction Survey from BroadbandChoices.co.uk.
The survey, which is conducted every six months, aims to find out how UK broadband users view
the services and costs of their internet providers.

Standing out in the spring 2009 survey:

• Less than half of broadband users are satisfied with the customer support they receive.¹
• More than half of broadband users are considering changing their ISP in the next six
months as the credit crunch bites.²

And the winners are…

• O2 is king of the ISP hill, winning all six key satisfaction categories as well as being voted best overall provider.³

• Virgin Media is the most improved ISP overall, compared to the autumn 2008 survey. 4

• Sky is best ISP overall for bundled services. 5

• Virgin Media is winning the bundled services race for speed, voted fastest service for
bundled packages. 6

• TalkTalk provides consumers with best value for money for bundled services. 7
Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices.co.uk said:

“We were overwhelmed by the responses to our survey, the sheer number of which indicates that broadband is coming under more scrutiny than ever before from consumers. The size of the survey this spring meant that we could confidently report results across a larger number of ISPs and also break out results on bundled services for the first time since these are now such an important part
of the market.

“It’s impressive to see that O2 scored an average of 86% for very/fairly satisfied across all categories. They were streets ahead of the other ISPs who averaged 60%. For bundled packages, Sky took the top position overall but Virgin Media is close on its heels and manages to rank highest for download times with its cable network.

“Our findings indicate that more than 46% of customers have already switched provider8. As competition in the broadband market increases, it’s encouraging to see that consumers now recognise that there are viable alternatives. They can use our Ofcom accredited broadband comparison service and findings from research like this to refine their choice and make the right switching decision with confidence.

“The key reason for considering switching is overwhelmingly due to the frustration of not receiving the speed performance users have been promised9. As underlined in recent Ofcom tests, it’s clear that ISPs fall well-short of adequately managing their customers’ expectations in this respect.”

Phillips adds: “Every time we do our survey we get inundated with customers bemoaning the after sales support they receive. This spring’s survey further underlines this with customer service coming bottom across the board in terms of satisfaction.”

About BroadbandChoices.co.uk

BroadbandChoices.co.uk was launched in 2005 and is the UK’s leading Ofcom accredited
broadband comparison calculator, allowing visitors to compare broadband packages from the top UK broadband suppliers.

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Wireless Broadband- Fear wires, not the ether.

October 24th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases


 
The pace with which technology evolves is fast. To the uninitiated or the gadget averse, this can leave us with the impression we are being left behind or, more commonly, leads to misconceptions about what is really on offer. A classic example of this is ‘Wireless Broadband’. If you plug a wireless router into your phone line it allows several devices to connect to the internet without the bird’s nest of wires to complicate matters. However, most broadband providers are offering wireless broadband packages and many consumers think that this is a new entity.
Aware of this potential confusion BroadbandChoices.co.uk ran a poll to discover the extent of the misconception amongst British consumers. They believe that internet service providers (ISPs) are causing much of this confusion by marketing ‘wireless broadband’ as if it were a service separate from a fixed line package using a wireless router.
“It would appear that ISP’s are helping to create these misconceptions that stop customers from taking advantage of the benefits of wireless – especially during the summer months when they could be online while topping up their tan in the garden,” says Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices.co.uk. “The industry really needs to make this clearer to their customers. Consumers should have more choice about how they use their broadband package,” continues Phillips. “This misconception could be down to ISPs giving the impression that they are offering a ‘wireless package’ when they are just providing a normal broadband connection with a wireless router as part of the deal. Anyone with broadband can have a wireless connection – they just need the right router, and you can either get this from your provider or from any computer hardware retailer,” concludes Phillips.
Once a wireless router is installed, it not only removes the unsightly mess of wires, it allows multiple users to connect through the same connection. This means no more arguments about who’s turn it is on the net and as the range on some routers can reach up to a hundred metres, you can now be online whilst doing the gardening or having a bath.
Over 90 per cent of poll respondents cited unfounded reasons for not having wireless broadband . The top three reasons for not having wireless broadband were:
 
‘I am worried about dealing with the technicalities of wireless broadband’ – 44%
‘I am worried that my bank details may be at risk’ – 27%
‘My supplier does not offer a wireless broadband package’ – 25%
 
The facts:
Almost no technical knowledge is required to install a wireless router. If your router was supplied with your broadband package it should already be configured to the correct settings. It is usually as simple as plugging the router into the phone cable.
Your bank details can be as safe with wireless as they are with a fixed line service. Because no physical link is necessary, it is possible for an unauthorized person to access your network- if you don’t use security. Most routers now have built in encryption that can be activated at the touch of a button. However, even if you don’t commit sensitive data to your network you should still secure your connection, otherwise you are not only at risk from hackers gaining access to your computer but also from next doors kids using your bandwidth.
 
It is true- providers don’t offer wireless packages, they just offer a free wireless router with a broadband package. It is immaterial whether you use the router or plug the phone line directly into your computer. The service you receive will be the same; you just won’t be able to send emails from the potting shed and you may drown in wires.
 
About BroadbandChoices.co.uk: http://www.BroadbandChoices.co.uk
BroadbandChoices.co.uk is the second biggest broadband comparison service in the UK. And, whilst many comparison sites focus only on price BroadbandChoices.co.uk looks to provide value as well as price performance. The website impartially contrasts the offers available, is regularly updated and hosts many articles- written by experts to ensure the choices you make are informed.
 
What makes BroadbandChoices.co.uk different:
The range of consumer guides is extensive and the advice comprehensive
The emphasis is always on value rather than just cost
The ability to rank products according to individual priorities not the providers priorites
Detailed product information
The ability to talk to like-minded people, read reviews or just share your thoughts
Up-to-date information regarding key industry developments
Access to bespoke interactive tools (speed tester & download monitor)

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PARENTS FAILING TO MONITOR CHILDREN’S INTERNET ACTIVITY

October 4th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

broadband internet
· 84% of parents rely on verbal agreements to ensure their children ‘surf safely’
· 45% of children use chatrooms to make new friends
· 40% use facebook and myspace
· 48% regularly use downloads

 
The summer holidays are in full swing as millions of children across the UK have broken up from school. More time at home means more time spent on facebook, chatting to friends online and downloading music – but are parents actually monitoring what their children are doing online?
 
According to a survey* from BroadbandChoices.co.uk, the answer is a resounding “No.” The research found that 84% of parents across the UK said they rate verbal agreement with their children as their number one way of monitoring online activity. The poll also asked children aged 11-16 what they spent the most time doing online during the school holidays which revealed that 48% download music, 45% use chat rooms to make new friends online and 40% use social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.
 
These results have child safety implications as well as legal and financial ones. They are particularly significant in light of the government’s announcement that parents are to be punished if their child downloads music and films illegally. Households can be blacklisted and have their internet access curbed or suspended if they do not follow the rules, meaning parents will be forced to take stronger measures to supervise their child’s online activity.
 

Michael Phillips, Product Director, BroadbandChoices.co.uk, said:

 
“We were surprised to learn that such a high proportion of parents heavily rely on verbal agreements to ensure their children’s online activities are safe and legal. Children are often more tech-savvy than their parents and the click of a mouse can take them anywhere. This research highlights the need for parents to be aware of the simple checks they can put in place to safeguard children who are increasingly using the internet to build new relationships.
 
“As well as the possible safety issues, there are financial implications to your child’s internet activities. With 48% downloading music online it would be easy to exceed your broadband fair usage limit leaving unsuspecting parents out of pocket at the end of the month.”
 
BroadbandChoices.co.uk recommends the following steps to help busy parents effectively monitor their child’s online activity:
 
1. Parental control software: If Some ISPs like AOL and BT offer parental controls
as part of their service, while other users can get them with their antivirus and
security suites. Parental controls allow you to block certain sites and keywords,
apply different settings for different age groups and monitor your child’s online
activity. You can also use the Messenger Plus! program to keep a log of
conversations they might be having using Instant Messenger.
 
2. Education: If Completely banning older children from the Internet is unlikely to stop
them from using chatrooms and social networking sites, so instead, explain why
they need to be careful on the Internet and make sure they know never to give
out personal information or meet strangers without an adult around.
 
3. All on one PC: If Keeping the family computer in the living room is a great way of
ensuring that your children stay safe online. They’re far less likely to spend time
in chatrooms or downloading illegally if their parents are in the same room. Also,
make sure that you’re set as the administrator on any PC in the home, so that
only you can change the settings on your parental control software.
 
4. Antivirus and firewall software: If Using security software to protect your PC will
also protect your child from spam emails with inappropriate content, and phishing
emails where they could give out personal information including bank details.
 
5. Monitor downloads: If you’re concerned about the affect your children’s
downloading is having on your monthly usage allowance, use a Download
Monitor such as ours to keep an eye on downloads and set alarms to alert you
when you near your limit.
 
 

BroadbandChoices.co.uk’s download monitor can be accessed at

http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/broadband-download-monitor.html

 
 
 
 
Broadband choices is a comparison website that enables visitors to compare broadband packages, and keeps readers up to date with the latest broadband news.
 
 
 

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BROADBAND CHOICES OFFER HINTS AND TIPS FOR STUDENTS CHOOSING A BROADBAND PACKAGE

October 4th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

broadband comparison
The beginning of term is always a busy time. If you are moving into a new house you will already have unpacking, registration, and getting to grips with paying bills to contend with. On top that you have to make time to catch up with old friends, or make sure you meet new ones. Searching around for the broadband package that most suits your needs may seem like a low priority, but you will find there are significant rewards to be gained through very little effort, so read on and find out why it’s actually really easy.
 
The search for the best broadband package can be a confusing one. Providers are aware of this and will most likely try and push their most expensive package your way, but this package may not suit the needs of a student. Taking a few minutes to ensure you’re getting the deal that is right for you can save you money, as well as granting you peace of mind.
 
To simplify the process, we have created a step-by-step guide to getting the best student broadband deal:
 
Step One – Isolate the aspect of the broadband deal that is most essential to you
 

1. The Contract: Broadband contracts are likely to be 12 months or more, which is great if you’re going to be in your residence for this long, but perhaps not ideal for the nomadic lifestyle of a student. If you are likely to move around a lot, for example visiting friends on the weekends or spending long holidays at home, a non contractual option may be best for you.
 
2. Heavy Downloading: Many companies offer unlimited downloads, however it is worth noting this is just an industry term. Fair usage policies will apply, and the cost of breaking them can be considerable. Make sure you check your providers’ policy, and download the free www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/broadband-download-monitor.html to monitor your downloads and keep you inside your limits.
 
3. TV, Broadband and Phone: If you want digital TV and/or a landline phone in your house, then getting a package that bundles them together with your internet could be the best decision. Sky’s See, Speak and Surf includes all three services for £19 a month, with the option of adding more channels at an extra cost.
 
4. Speed: If fast download speeds are your bag, go for a provider that consistently delivers a high speed connection. According to the latest Broadband Choices speed tests, Karoo, O2 and Virgin Media all fared well in the speed department. To test how fast your internet is working, download the free broadband choices speed test tool. www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/speed-test.asp.
 
Now you know what you need, you must find out which ISPs operate on your street. This is simple. Log on to www.broadbandchoices.co.uk (you may have to do this on a laptop from a WiFi hotspot) and enter your postcode into their search box. In a few seconds all the providers and packages available will be on your screen. Apply the criteria that you and your housemates have set out and you should be able to pick out the deal that is right for you. Signing up online can also get you a discount with some service providers, so if this is the case, take advantage and use the money you have saved for a congratulatory drink!

 
Step 2 – Consider Going Mobile
 
Getting yourself a “dongle” or mobile USB connection has both positives and negatives. The dongle provides highly portable broadband connectivity and eliminates the need for a landline, but mobile packages have tight restrictions in download limits and big penalties for those who exceed them. 3 Mobile’s broadband offers 1GB, 3GB or 7GB download capacities, but the financial hit for exceeding these limits is considerable. You will also find that taking a mobile broadband deal will invariably involve signing a long contract of 18 – 24 months, so if you are not happy or your needs change, you may find yourself stuck. One month mobile contracts are available however, and serve as a halfway house between long term fixed contracts and pay as you go options.

 
Step 3 – Be future proof with fibre optic
 
Fibre-optic is the new method used by Virgin Media to deliver their broadband internet. With Virgin Media, broadband connectivity is delivered through glass fibres the width of a human hair, as opposed to the traditional transportation method of broadband through copper wires. Virgin Media plan to roll out 50Mbps broadband connections by the end of the year, which will make them the fastest broadband provider in the UK. BT hope to counter this move by introducing 100Mbps connections in 2012.
 
Any Advice on which one to go for?
 
You want broadband with a contract…
 
· Plusnet (www.plus.net) – £9.99 per month for 8Mb, with a free wireless router (Great for wireless broadband) and free connection for 12 months.
 
· Madasafish (www.madasafish.com) – £9.99 pm for 6 months and £14.99 after that for 8Mb, free connection and free wireless networking kit for 12 months.
 
· O2 (www.o2.co.uk) – £12.99 pm a month for 8Mb with unlimited downloads for 12 months.
 
No contract would be better…
 
· Be Broadband (www.bethere.co.uk) – £18 pm for 24Mb and unlimited usage. Connection is £24 and must provide notice 3 months in advance for cancellation.
 
· Plusnet (www.plus.net) – £14.99 pm gives you 8Mb and unlimited downloads in the evenings, but you will have to pay £40 for connection.
 
· Eclipse (www.eclipse.net) – £14.99 can get a one month contract with 8Mbs, there will be a £47 connection charge though.
 
I want to go mobile…
 
· If you open a student bank account with Natwest before October you can get £50 off 3’s mobile broadband. This will include a free dongle and a 50% discount on line rental if you are an existing customer. On top of this you can get a free Microsoft webcam and 5 year rail pass and even £100 off Asus laptops, making the banks student bank account very attractive.

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The UK’s favourite Broadband providers named in the latest British Broadband Comparison Users survey

September 16th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

broadband comparison
 
More than 14 million (56%) UK households now have broadband internet access 1 – over half of the population and with the number growing by over 1m households every year, BroadbandChoices.co.uk, one of the country’s leading broadband comparison sites, finds out what British broadband users really think of the service they’re offered.
 
The BroadbandChoices.co.uk survey is conducted every six months, in conjunction with PointTopic Ltd, to find out what the country’s broadband users view of the services and costs of their internet providers.
 
Standing out in the July 2008 survey:
 
• Sky is top of the ISP pops as far as the British users are concerned, voted top in all 6 satisfaction categories.
 
• Despite the credit crunch “value for money” has not significantly increased as a concern for UK broadband users since the last survey in February 2008.
 
• The “satisfaction gap” has increased, with the difference between the top ISP and bottom ISP in every category increasing
 
• Talk Talk has seen the greatest improvement in its ranking in customer satisfaction levels over the last 6 months.
 
Over 4,200 households were asked to rank their ISP across 6 categories:
 
 

• Quality & Stability of Your Home Internet Service • Download Time of Files & Web Pages
• The Clarity of Pricing & Billing • After Sales Support
• Good Value for Money • Speed of Service Activation

 

Sky Broadband comes top


 
Sky was voted the best provider overall, gaining the top spot in every category in the BroadbandChoices.co.uk July 2008 survey:
 
compare broadband
 
Interestingly, users consider Sky to offer the most satisfactory download times for pages and files, something which the BroadbandChoices.co.uk monthly download survey often supports with its 2Mbps and 8Mbps packages.
 
compare broadband packages
 
Michael Phillips, Product Director at www.BroadbandChoices.co.uk comments:
“Sky is the UK’s fastest growing broadband provider. They have recently increased their advertising presence and set their prices and packages at a level that has attracted a large number of new customers to its service. It seems their approach is working, but it also seems that the general service Sky is offering is good enough to keep their existing customers happy.
 

The satisfaction gap is increasing


 
Michael Phillips highlights the increase in the satisfaction gap as an area of concern:
“An area that does concern me is the increase in the satisfaction gap. ISPs should be competing fiercely not only to acquire customers but also to keep them happy and that means a better service across the board. Over the past six months our survey shows that the gap between the top ISP and bottom ISP in each category is getting bigger – so whilst some companies are clearly improving their satisfaction ratings, others are falling further behind.
 
“The low scores that we see for after sales support, when compared to other categories, demonstrates for the second time running that customers feel neglected after they have signed on the dotted line.”
 

We still think we’re getting value for money


 
sky broadband
 
Michael Phillips, was surprised by the results in this category:
“We had expected a significant decrease in the number of users who felt they were receiving value for money since the last survey, as the credit crunch bites harder in to household incomes. The difference between February and July 2008 is less than 1%, a negligible decrease in overall satisfaction.
 
“It’s true to say that internet access is cheaper than ever before as bundled deals become the norm, offering excellent value for consumers.
 
“However, households can still save money. ISPs announce new deals all the time and any household that hasn’t looked at what else is on offer for a year or more may find that they can make significant savings on their annual cost of broadband if they switch to another provider. Our research has shown that users can save an average of £150 per year if they switch to a new package or provider through our website.”
 

Users see improvements from TalkTalk


 
Michael Phillips comments;
“It’s nice to see Talk Talk’s service is improving, with users voting more positively for this ISP in most categories since February’s survey. We look forward to seeing how these stats will develop in our next survey.”
 

A special mention for O2


 
Although O2’s sample size is currently too small to rank in the key findings/tables in this survey, the company deserves a special mention because, when we compare broadband providers, O2 scores a massive 94% for Fairly/Very Satisfied in “Overall quality and reliability” (Sky 86%; AOL 67%) and an impressive 79% for “After sales support” (some 12% more than Sky and 37% more than Orange).
 
 
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Source:
Office for National Statistics – Internet Access 2008 (26 August 2008)
 
 
 
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