Residents should look around for best broadband deal

Residents in Perth and Kinross are being urged to shop around for their broadband this New Year.

Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, is calling on customers in his constituency to make sure they shop around for the best possible broadband deal like they would for utilities.

The Conservative politician has also suggested regulating broadband could be used to ensure customers aren’t taken advantage of.

New research from Which? showed householders could be paying up to £220 more per year for their broadband.

Mr Fraser says he believes if this continues, regulations could be required to put customers on the lowest possible tariff.

However, before this is considered, Murdo wants consumers to take charge and shop around for the best deal and switch after their“teaser rate” expires.

BT customers who haggled managed a significant saving of £168 a year compared to customers who didn’t.

And according to the Which? survey, the average annual broadband bill paid by a loyal BT customer is £540 a year, compared to £372 for customers who haggled.

The only provider offering the best tariffs was Utility Warehouse, where a new customer signing up for the firm’s cheapest deal would be paying just over £25 more a year.

Murdo Fraser said:“These figures from Which? highlight just how poor a deal some broadband customers are getting.

“I would therefore encourage customers to shop around for the best possible deal.

“In recent years the government has made a big issue out of shopping around when it comes to utilities and customers must do the same when it comes to broadband, especially when their initial contract expires.

“Having access to broadband is essential to modern living and the UK Government has recognised this by creating a universal service provision specifically for this.

“However, just as they are regulating the energy markets to ensure customers get the best possible deal, it is perhaps worth investigating a similar policy for broadband pricing.”

Alex Neill, managing director of home products and services at Which?, also said:“Broadband customers will be appalled that not only could they be paying through the nose simply for being loyal to their provider but that they could, in some cases, also get a much faster internet connection for a fraction of the price that they are currently paying.

“If you are willing to negotiate and happy with your current service, haggling might get you a good discount, but researching the deals available and switching is the best way to ensure you’re on a good value tariff.”