Research from broadband comparison site Broadband Expert has revealed that UK customers are paying 70% more than they need to for their broadband connections despite the credit crunch. The research carried out from January to July 2008 asked over 70,000 broadband customers on 8Mbps broadband packages what they paid for their connections and compared it to the deals currently available on the market revealing a huge disparity between the two figures.

The survey revealed that on average UK broadband customers pay £16.98 per month for an 8Mbps broadband package, despite some providers offering a similar package for under £10 a month. The survey also uncovered that BT and Demon customers pay the most, whilst Sky and O2 customers pay the least.

William Harvey, Technical Director at Broadband Expert, sites three main reasons consumers overpay for their broadband; firstly “customers are not always aware that that broadband prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. A customer who signed up for a broadband package 2 years ago could be paying 2 to 3 times the amount they would pay if they signed up to a similar or better package today”.

Harvey goes on to comment that the broadband providers could do more to “ensure long standing customers are not overcharged by moving them on to the same pricing a new customer would receive”.

The final factor Harvey cites for not switching is perhaps the most surprising in the current economic climate “some consumers are aware that they could save money by switching to a new provider but are not willing to spend the time to move to a different ISP.” Harvey explains that switching broadband is no longer the traumatic process it once was. Under Ofcom, the industry watchdog’s, regulations, Internet Service Providers must provide a MAC code (a numerical code like a serial number) which can be passed to the new provider and is designed to make switching from one provider to another as painless as possible.

Broiadband Expert data: www.broadband-expert.co.uk/broadband/speedtest/broadband-speedtest-8mb-isp-cost.php

About us:

Broadband Expert is part of Richweb Media, a privately owned UK company. We aim to provide expert advice and information to allow consumers to make more informed decisions when purchasing broadband or mobile broadband services.

At Broadband Expert we:

. Research each broadband provider to expose data such as true cost including any hidden extras

.Compare broadband packages by download limits, speeds, set up fee, first year cost and minimum contract.

. Provide consumer guides, forums and a broadband speed test to help you research and chose a broadband provider.

For further information, please reply to press@broadband-expert.co.uk