Telewest Broadband

Complacent Brits are refusing to switch and save - 01-10-2004

Brits are still showing wide-spread complacency when it comes to managing their household finances, despite having a growing list of must-have services, research from Telewest Broadband has shown. Nation-wide omnibus research conducted on behalf of the cable company shows Britons know that modern technology is adding to their household expenditure, but are not always investing the time and effort to look for a better deal.

According to the survey, the average household now spends up to �100 a month on a new wave of communications and entertainment services which include broadband internet, digital television, mobile and landline phones.

A third of respondents said that switching providers didn't interest them, while a quarter admitted they were aware switching could save them money, but hadn't done anything about it yet. Only 15% said they regularly looked for the best deal and switched suppliers.

Eric Tveter, president and chief operating officer at Telewest Broadband, said: "While 60% of respondents said their utility bills were higher than a year ago, not enough people are looking at switching providers to get the best deal." "Furthermore, too many consumers are continuing to use multiple service providers for their technology requirements, which is far from cost efficient. Bundling your phone line, digital television and broadband, for example, has the potential to save you up to �420 a year*."

Eighty-one per cent of omnibus respondents said they owned a mobile phone, while 50% had digital television and 12% broadband. Only 12% of respondents did not have digital television, broadband or a mobile phone.

While household spending on new technology came close to other essentials, such as gas and supermarket shopping, nearly half (45%) of respondents said the cost of keeping up-to-date with technology was simply part of the cost of living now.

A selection of companies offer more than one household service with the convenience of one bill and consumers have plenty of opportunities to bundle and save. Three quarters (75%) of Telewest Broadband's customers now subscribe to two or more services while nearly a quarter (22%) subscribe to three services (broadband, digital television and landline phone).** Mr Tveter added that, while the research shows that consumers increasingly can't survive without modern technology, there was no reason for them to accept the first deal they came across.

"While people accept they have to pay to get good service, there's no reason why that should come at a premium price. Telewest Broadband is urging consumers to shop around to make their provider work for them. The challenge for us, and for them, is to get them the best price on these services to help consumers manage their household costs."

"Clearly the majority of consumers are realising there is fierce competition in the market and they have the potential to get a very good deal indeed," Mr Tveter added.

Telewest Broadband's current '3 for 30' offer allows consumers to bundle a broadband internet connection, digital television and phone line for a set price of �30 per month. Installation is free and in most cases BT phone customers can keep their existing number.

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