Looking For Broadband? It's Best To Research And Compare Independently Online

June 24, 2009 - PRLog -- The results came in the same week that Ofcom published research suggesting one in five adults who do not have the internet are likely to sign up in the next six months.

While the majority (more than 70 per cent) of more than 1,000 consumers answering Broadband Genie's poll were thinking about switching provider to a new ISP, more than a quarter were looking to buy broadband for the first time. This begs the question: are the broadband UK internet providers offering the right deals - and the right information - to satisfy this significant user base?

BT, the UK's biggest broadband provider, has a web page that lets visitors compare its deals to four from its competitors. Virgin Media simply states it is faster than three of its competitors, while TalkTalk, the UK's third biggest provider, takes pot shots at four of its rivals, choosing different parts of their service to target depending on which it can beat them on: hardly representative of a market with more than 15 major providers and at least 50 niche companies.

One of the big problems facing consumers is the lack of stores offering a range of broadband products - customers wanting to shop around can't browse their high street or local supermarket for the product that's right for them, so it comes down to websites such as Broadband Genie to take the place of the shopping centres. The site offers a range of help guides and comparison tools to give even the most inexperienced broadband hunter the information they need to compare broadband and get the right deal.

Ofcom's research found there are two main groups yet to get online: the self-excluded and the financially excluded. The self-excluded tend to be older and retired and don't think the internet has anything to offer them - a clear sign ISPs are not doing enough to explain what the internet has to offer. As both computers and internet services continue to drop in price, the number of people that are financially excluded should continue to drop significantly.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: "At Broadband Genie we pride ourselves on our independence; it's what makes us stand out. For example, the Editors Recommendations we supply aren't adverts - they're offers I feel offer genuine value to certain types of consumer.

"We are always making alterations to our guides to try and keep everything up to the minute for our visitors, and we also offer a forum and an 'ask the genie' service to a try to answer specific questions. On top of that, visitors can read through hundreds of user reviews and comments from real customers who have had first hand experience of the fixed-line broadband providers new customers are considering."

ENDS

# # #

About Broadband Genie:

1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband and mobile broadband comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on broadband prices and contracts and allowing them to compare broadband providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. Both sites are among the most popular sites in their respective fields, and regularly feature in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk / http://mobile.broadbandgenie.co.uk

2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling at Broadband Genie: t 0844 415 5531 / f 0871 6618553 / m 07908 327303 / chris.marling@genieventures.co.uk