Call to make broadband switching much easier

Telecoms regulator Ofcom is being urged to make it easier for people to switch broadband providers.

The call follows a survey by comparison and switching service Uswitch.com which indicates up to five million households who are out of contract with their broadband supplier have been put off switching as they don’t have confidence in the process.

This, the firm claim, means they are collectively overpaying by £804m

Each household whose broadband deals have lapsed sit out of contract on average for 19 months – paying £149 more than they need to in that time.

A fifth of consumers (22%) have never changed their broadband provider.

Worries about a loss of connection while changing providers is one fear holding people back from getting a better deal. pared to only one in ten (10%) who found it harder[8].

Uswitch.com is calling on Ofcom to use its review of the switching process to ensure that all broadband switching is comprehensively coordinated by providers and ensure consumers can have more confidence in the process.

Richard Neudegg, head of regulation at Uswitch.com, says: “It’s deeply disappointing that five million people are missing out on big savings and faster broadband speeds because they don’t have confidence in the switching process.

“Ofcom must make sure that switching is easy and reliable for all customers, irrespective of which provider they choose, and is particularly important now that our reliance on broadband is greater than ever.”