Broadband users urged to check deals

Broadband users are being urged to check their usage levels and the prices of rival ISPs as they maybe able to save almost £200 a year.

An estimated 9.8 million households connected to the internet via broadband in 2005, with at least one million signing up in the first three months of the year. Nearly all of these contracts will be coming up for renewal.

As suppliers have developed and improved packages to the point where speeds have trebled and prices have halved, independent comparison and switching service uSwitch.com is now urging consumers to review their needs and look into what new deals are available.

Jon Miller, director at uSwitch, said: “These one million broadband users will have a good idea what they have been using their internet connection for until now, and how they are likely to use it over the next 12 months. Suppliers, on the other hand, are unlikely to take into account their customers’ usage requirements, or to alert them when they approach the end of their 12 month contract. Instead, they may opt to upgrade them automatically to a faster service for the same monthly fee.

“uSwitch.com advises customers to ensure that they are only paying for what they need.”

Miller said there are two main areas where consumers should be looking to save money. Firstly, they should ensure that they are only paying for the connection speed that they need, as this can save them up to £180 per year, and secondly that they are with the cheapest supplier for their chosen connection.

http://www.uSwitch.com