More than a third of broadband users to switch ISPs

Wed, 04 Jan 2012
 
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Up to 70 per cent of the UK’s broadband customers could switch internet providers during 2012 in order to get a better service and save money .

According to a new survey conducted by ISPreview.co.uk, 34.1 per cent of consumers are planning to change their internet service provider (ISP) while another 34.1 per cent will consider the option of switching over the next 12 months.

The poll also revealed that 55.4 per cent of broadband users are happy with their current ISP (unchanged from 2011), although the same problem areas remain.

Some 37 per cent of respondents said they were least happy with their provider’s download speeds, while 19 per cent highlighted service support/reliability as a major gripe, 16.5 per cent said high prices and a further 10 per cent said they were most annoyed by service restrictions.

In addition, 43.3 per cent of those polled said they were paying more for their broadband than a year ago, although this is partly due to the hike in VAT and general industry price rises.

Mark Jackson, Founder of ISPreview.co.uk, said: "It's no surprise to see that consumers are still least happy with their broadband ISP speeds and that over a third plan to swap provider in the new year."

"The good news is that a new generation of superfast broadband services have finally begun to take hold, which offer faster speeds and greater reliability than current generation services."

He added: "Stricter rules from Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority are also working to make internet providers more honest about the capabilities of their services, which should result in happier consumers as concerns over speed and reliability slowly begin to subside."

"Meanwhile price, coverage and support quality will become key battlefields for the new generation of superfast broadband services ."