Problems for those wishing to switch broadband providers
September 27, 2008
According to a recent report many broadband customers that wish to switch broadband providers are experiencing real difficulties, despite action having been taken by the communications regulator Ofcom with regards to making this process easier, faster, and less disruptive. Complaints over broadband providers have soared over recent months, with an increase in complaints relating to everything from the quality of the service to billing and lack of customer service. Read more
Broadband bigwigs release data
July 16, 2008
A number of major broadband providers have recently released their latest quarterly performance reports, with Virgin Media and BT having released their figures openly last week. This comes shortly after another report that indicated that new broadband subscribers across the UK and other parts of Europe had fallen during the third quarter of the year, and had also fallen in the second quarter of the year in comparison with the figures in the first quarter of this year. Read more
Number of consumers subscribing to broadband falls
June 16, 2008
According to recent reports the number of people that are subscribing to broadband within the UK is on the fall, with a far lower number of people subscribing to broadband as new customers over the third quarter compared to the second quarter. The report shows that there were around 460,000 new broadband subscriptions in the UK between July and August, which was 40,000 drop on the 510,000 new subscriptions that took place in the previous quarter. Read more
Guarantee offered to O2 broadband subscribers
June 12, 2008
Communications giant O2 has recently launched its broadband service, and is offering a choice pf broadband packages along with an impressive guarantee to ensure that the service is suited to the customer. Over the past couple of weeks there has been speculation over the packages and prices that O2 will be offering, but the company recently confirmed its packages. Customers will also be offered a one hundred day guarantee to customers that sign up for the service before the end of January next year so that if the service or package is not suitable they can break the contract without penalty. Read more
Summit to be held with broadband industry
May 26, 2008
In a recent report it has been revealed that he former e-commerce minister and minister for competitiveness, Stephen Timms, along with Ofcom, the communications regulator in the UK, are to be involved in a summit with the broadband industry in order to try and bring the UK up to speed so that it can embrace future advancements and increased speeds in relation to broadband. Past reports have highlighted how the fibre based networks used by other countries such as Japan means that they are ready to welcome these advancements, but the UK was lagging behind. Read more
Take care of your wireless broadband connection
May 21, 2008
Officials have stated that many consumers in the UK that have wireless broadband connections could end up paying for a services that is simply not up to scratch – not because of the service provider but because their wireless connection is being used by others, posing a number of problems including compromised service and speeds. Authorities have warned that those with wireless broadband connections could also be at risk of real problems if those stealing the connection – typically done by using laptops outside the homes of those with wireless broadband – use their connection to perform illegal or dodgy activities. Read more
Illegal downloaders could be banned from Internet
March 13, 2008
According to a recent report big name broadband companies may start taking serious action against consumers found to be illegally downloading, and a three strike rule may come in where consumers that are found to have downloaded illegally for a third time will face getting banned from the Internet altogether. A first offence will result in a warning, and the second in temporary suspension, according to the report. Read more
Many still not happy with their broadband service
March 8, 2008
A recent survey has shown that although the popularity and take up of broadband services have rocketed recently in the UK, there are still many people that are very unhappy with their Internet Service Providers – although many fail to take any action by switching to another service provider. Lack of satisfaction with Internet Service Providers results from a range of factors, including customer service, technical service, and billing, amongst others. Read more
Broadband offers even more exciting freebies
March 2, 2008
In the UK there are now many different communications companies offering some great deals on broadband, and competition amongst broadband providers has really increased over the years. As these broadband providers compete to try and get as much custom as possible within the UK, many have been trying to think of new and exciting ways to tempting customers into signing up for a broadband contract. Read more
Broadband switching needs to be made easier
February 12, 2008
Experts have stated that switching broadband service is too complicated a process and needs to be made easier, in the same way that it is with energy suppliers. According to some experts many consumers have found that switching broadband provider is a complication process, and campaigners have called for broadband switching to become as simple as switching energy providers has become over recent years. Read more
Internet provider awards revealed
February 4, 2008
This year marks the tenth annual ISP Awards, which recognises the achievements of Internet service providers in the UK based on performance following testing by Epitiro. The awards are run by the Internet Service Providers’ Association. There are sixteen categories in the awards altogether, and the actual ceremony is to take place at the Marriott Hotel in London on 14th March, where some of the biggest ISP names will be hoping to scoop the top spots. Read more
Free laptop from Three
February 1, 2008
The broadband industry has become increasingly competitive over recent years, and as time as gone on broadband providers have had to offer increasingly sophisticated incentives in order to entice customers and stay a step ahead of the competition. In 2007 both AOL and Orange decided to offer free laptops with certain broadband contracts in order to get customers to sign up, and many decided to take up this offer. Read more
Broadband complaints continue to rise
February 1, 2008
With more and more households having broadband installed experts state that the level of complaints relating to this service has soared recently. According to recent figures there has been a massive rise in the number of complaints made about broadband providers and service in 2007 compared to 2006, and this is partly due to the rising number of households taking up broadband. Read more
Hidden charges on broadband to be looked into in 2008
January 7, 2008
According to a recent report officials from the communications regulator Ofcom will be launching an investigation into hidden fees and charges next year from broadband and mobile phone providers. The purpose of the investigation will be to identity these hidden charges, which have caused a flood of complaints from consumers, and to check that they are justified. The aim is also to increase transparency with regards to such charges so that consumers know exactly what they are paying for and why. Read more
Broadband advertising codes demanded by consumer panel
January 3, 2008
The Ofcom consumer panel, which looks out for the best interest of the consumer, has asked the communications regulator to introduce a standard mandatory code of practice to be used in broadband advertising across the UK. This comes after raging controversy over broadband speeds that are advertised by providers and actual broadband speeds that are received by those signing up with the provider, which can be very different to those advertised depending on a number of factors. Read more
ASA pulls up broadband provider over advertising
January 2, 2008
The UK’s advertising regulator, the Advertising Standards Agency, has pulled up another broadband provider over advertising. Talk Talk has become one of the latest providers to get into trouble with the Advertising Standards Agency, and this followed complaints made by rival communications giant BT. Read more
What’s the future for broadband?
December 26, 2007
According to a recent report the growth of broadband has stabilised over the past year, but by 2012 the UK could still have around 21 million broadband customers. The report was compiled by Point Topic, and has shown the steadier take up of broadband services over the past couple of quarters, partly because the majority of consumers now already have this service. Over recent years the popularity of broadband services has rocketed, with an increase in the number of providers coupled with value for money on broadband packages contributing to its popularity. Read more