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Plusnet has launched a
package for hard times
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Brits sticking with broadband to beat credit crunch
Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk
More than 9 out of 10 internet users see their broadband connection as an essential rather than a luxury, with very few considering ditching their broadband in order to cut back on bills (06-08-08).
Nearly five million of the UK’s 16 million subscribers - or 30 per cent - would rather give up their magazine subscriptions, cigarettes and alcohol than their broadband, according to new research from PlusNet (www.Plus.net), while a further 14 per cent would sacrifice eating out and takeaways and 12 per cent going to the cinema.
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"Over 50 per cent of Plusnet’s customers have been acquired through personal recommendation"
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Only three per cent are actually considering giving up their broadband in order to economise, while more than a third say they are ready to switch and save if the financial squeeze continues, showed the YouGov poll for the award winning ISP.
And rather than cutting back on their internet usage, savvy consumers are going online to find the best deals and discounts, with 59 per cent using price comparison sites such as BroadbandChoices.co.uk, 46 per cent paying bills online to get discounts and 45 per cent doing their shopping online too.
Neil Armstrong, Plusnet products director, said: “Broadband is now so popular and central to the daily life of Britain that few consumers are ready to end their internet connection completely to make ends meet. Some are ready to switch suppliers to help with their household budgets but they still want to keep broadband.”
And in what Armstrong called Plusnet’s “response to the economic slowdown”, the provider - which won the BroadbandChoices.co.uk Best Broadband Provider 2008 award and the ISPA Best Consumer ISP award - launched a new package combining up to 8Mb broadband, home phone and line rental for just £16.99 a month.
The Essential package combines £6.99 broadband with a 1GB download allowance and free overnight downloads with a £10 phone package that includes weekend calls to UK landlines and line rental.
Neil Laycock, Plusnet’s CEO, said: “There are millions of people paying too much for their broadband and not getting a decent service. They're looking for another option and Plusnet is ready to welcome them.
“We want the UK’s 16 million broadband customers to be aware of what we offer; an award-winning, honest and great-value service. We are unique in the current internet marketplace as the only mainstream provider which has grown without a hefty marketing budget - over 50 per cent of Plusnet’s customers have been acquired through personal recommendation,” he revealed.
Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, commented on the new offer. “Plusnet is a great provider, having won our Best Broadband Provider award this year, and this new package - which includes line rental for £16.99 a month is good value for anyone wanting to switch to a reliable, trustworthy provider without breaking the bank.
“And although you can buy more usage for £1.25 per GB, the free overnight downloads will really help you stretch your 1GB monthly allowance further.”
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