Postcode lottery impacting broadband speeds
Postcode lottery impacting broadband speeds
A postcode lottery is still having a major impact on Britain’s broadband users, with some paying almost double for their broadband service as those living just a few houses away, a new study has confirmed.
Broadbandchoices.co.uk surveyed more than 1.7 million UK postcodes to check what their access to broadband was like in terms of both speed and price. The research found that millions of property owners could be paying around £60 - £70 a year more for their internet – and could also be receiving a slower service – than some of their near neighbours.
Web users based in Calverton, Nottinghamshire, are paying more than £5 a month more than their neighbours who live just 65 yards away, and they are also only able to access broadband at a third of the speed that their neighbours can, reported The Guardian newspaper.
The survey reported that 13 per cent of internet users are missing out on cheap broadband deals as a result of their address, and are also suffering from slow speeds and lower download limits. Whilst some homeowners can choose from up to 10 internet providers, so are able to shop around to secure the best deal, others are only able to choose from five providers.
As a result of this, while some households are only paying landline fees plus £2 a month for broadband, other homes are paying up to £8 or more for broadband.
Broadbandchoices’ telecoms expert, Dominic Baliszewski, told the newspaper: "It is amazing just how much the nation's broadband services vary from county to county, and especially street to street. Broadband has become a utility in the UK, not a luxury, and it is unacceptable that people are being penalised simply due to where they live.
"Providers must improve their coverage, and it will be interesting to see what measures are taken in the coming months,” he added.
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