Customers not willing to go without broadband

Thursday, August 6th 2009

Recent research has emphasised how important broadband is to people.

Many people may wonder how they coped in the days before broadband and new research has highlighted just how unwilling people are to give up having a world of information at their fingertips.

A study by telecoms watchdog Ofcom revealed that people would rather have home broadband than a summer holiday or meals out.

In fact, when questioned about what they would cut back on in the face of the recession only ten per cent said broadband, while 47 per cent would stop dining out, 41 per cent would cut back on holidays and 25 per cent would splash less cash on clothes.

Only personal care products and groceries were considered more important than broadband access.

Respondents also proved reluctant to cut back on their mobile phones and TV, with 19 per cent and 16 per cent willing to cut spending in these areas.

Commenting on the research, Peter Phillips, Ofcom's partner for strategy and market development, said: "Despite the recession, people are spending more time watching TV, using their mobile phone or accessing the internet."

However, the research also showed that people are looking to reduce the amount they spend on broadband by hunting around for the best bargains.

Around a quarter of consumers said they would be more prepared to shop around now for their mobile phone service and broadband provider than a year ago, while nearly half of consumers are more likely to opt for a bundle of services than they were last year.

And recent reports suggest that broadband providers are realising that in these hard times people expect to get what they are paying for

A study by consumer direct suggested that firms are on their best behavior, with number of complaints received by the body on internet providers falling by 16.18 per cent in the first half of 2009 compared to 12 months previously.