Broadband Expert responds to decline in ‘free laptop with mobile broadband’ deals

“In order to combat the decline in ‘free laptop with mobile broadband’ deals, providers should bundle mobile broadband and fixed line broadband in a value for money package,” says Rob Webber, commercial director, Broadband Expert

Recent reports in the media claim the ‘free laptop with mobile broadband deal’ is over almost before it has had time to really take off; mainly due to the fact that consumers can see through the price plans and realise they spend over the odds for the hardware over the lifespan of the contract.

However, the alleged demise of the free laptop mobile broadband offer can also be put down to the fact that the big name providers, such as the brands hosted by comparison site Broadband Expert, are less keen to offer them due to the fact that there have been issues with bad debt. Factors such as the recession have contributed to this problem as consumers cannot keep up the contract payments when falling on hard times.

Rob Webber, commercial director at Broadband-Expert, says: “Feedback from the vendors tells us that they intend to introduce fewer free laptop deals with their mobile broadband promotions in the future because of the cash flow problems associated with bad payers.

“Broadband Expert would like to see the providers bundling mobile broadband together with home broadband deals rather than enticing people with the latest computer device; it would be far more in tune with people’s spending habits during the downturn. Research company GFK states 75 percent of people that have mobile broadband also have a fixed line connection. It is currently being used as a complimentary technology for use on the move, or as a back up to the consumer’s home line connection rather than a viable replacement. The ‘all in one broadband’ deal could therefore be a real hit with more thrifty consumers.”