Broadband customers struggling to switch
Broadband customers are still facing difficulties when trying to switch to a better deal, new research has found.
A survey by comparison calculator Broadbandchoices.co.uk revealed the problems people are experiencing when switching providers.
But experts at the Ofcom-accredited service are worried consumers could be missing out on savings of up to £90 by not shopping around.
The broadband customer survey found 62 per cent of people needed a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) – set up to prevent a connection from being changed without customers’ knowledge - to be able to switch.
However 64 per cent had to wait up to a week to get their code, 31 per cent had to ask more than once and 59 per cent were left without broadband for a significant time during the changeover.
Michael Phillip, product director at Broadbandchoices.co.uk, said: “Switching broadband providers must be made easier as it's an important part of household budgeting, particularly in these austere times.
“Under our current process the ‘losing' provider can drag their feet, and in some cases put the customer off switching altogether, leaving them on the same poor-value, outdated packages.”
Latest Government figures for 2010 show 73 per cent of UK households – 19.2 million homes – have an internet connection.
