BroadbandChoices in the news

Beware of the mobile text pests
The Times Online, 23 October 2008, pg 2

Michael Phillips, of the comparison website BroadbandChoices.co.uk, says: “Free laptops work well if you have limited cash and don't want to pay for the hardware all at once, but there is a catch. They often come with lengthy contracts, usually 18 or 24 months, which means that you could end up paying for your freebie in the long term.” The length of the contract also means that you will miss out on further cost reductions and improvements in broadband speeds as the market moves on while you stay tied to an outdated contract. Mr Phillips says: “By our calculations it makes sense to buy the cheapest alternative mobile broadband deal and buy a laptop from Play.com. This could save you up to £40 across the contract term.”

Sending a teenager off to college? Then see our survival guide for first time students
DailyMail.co.uk, 16 September 2008

If you don't mind being tied in for a year, consider the Tiscali package. At £15.99 a month for the first three months, including line rental, this offers 70 digital channels and free UK weekend calls. It also includes fast broadband. Those wanting the full gamut of sports channels as well as broadband and free evening and weekend calls could opt for Sky's See, Surf & Speak package, costing £36 a month. BT line rental, costing £10.50 a month on direct debit, isn't included. If several people are going to use the broadband, get an unlimited package. Check broadband coverage on websites such as www.broadbandchoices.co.uk

Poll: Sky 'best bet' for net....
The Sun. 16 September 2008, pg 2

SKY Broadband is the top of the ISP pops. The firm came first in all six categories in a survey carried out by comparison site BroadbandChoices.co.uk..... Michael Phillips, product director at BroadbandChoices.co.uk, said: "Sky is the UK's fastest growing broadband provider. They have recently increased their advertising and set their prices and packages at a level that has attracted a large number of new customers."

Broadband to 'Skip a Generation'
BBC News.co.uk, 3 September 2008

A recent report from consumer group BroadbandChoices found that the cheapest dial-up connection costs £175.89 (AOL Anytime) in the first year compared with £89.97 (TalkTalk) for broadband. "That's a price difference of nearly 100%," said Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices. While some find the pay as you go rate and the lack of a minimum contract period good reasons to stick with dial-up, many are just unwilling to shop around. "The most common reason for sticking with an inferior service is simply customer inertia. The longer people spend on dial-up, the more money they are throwing down the drain," he said.

Talk, Surf & View In Bargin Packages
Daily Express.co.uk, 24 August 2008

Michael Phillips at Broadband Choices says bundling has not only made if far simpler for consumers to switch suppliers for a better deal —but competition has resulted in a better service at better prices. “Customers just need to remember to shop around when they come to the end of their contract to make sure they are still getting a good deal,” he adds.

Now's the Ideal Time to Be Better Connected
Guardian.co.uk, 12 August 2008

'It makes a lot of sense if you are a student or in a transient situation, but at the moment the speeds aren't good enough to rival fixed-line services,' says Michael Phillips of Broadbandchoices.co.uk.

Cut the Cost of Christmas Calling
Telegraph.co.uk, 12 December 2007

Michael Phillips of BroadbandChoices, a comparison service, says "Using broadband to make phone calls is a great way of keeping call costs down over the festive period. With a headset and webcam you can speak to and see loved ones free via MSN Messenger or Skype"

Net Users 'Want Film Downloads'
BBC News 24, 4 December 2007

In a survey conducted by BroadbandChoices.co.uk, users put film downloads ahead of video calls, high definition video downloads and home surveillance at the top of their broadband wishlist

The 20 Minute Broadband Limit
Sunday Times, 2 December 2007

Broadband Choices said Virgin customers could exceed their limit in 20 minutes at the top advertised speed. "It defeats the purpose" said the firm's Michael Phillips. "These products urge people to download more often as they highlight top speeds"

Broadband Ordeal if you try to Switch
Sunday Times, 25 November 2007

Michael Phillips of Broadband Choices, a comparison firm, said: "Ofcom is overseeing the LLU process and has failed to adapt the MAC system to keep up with the changes. This means many people face problems when they switch as the MAC may not be right for their particular broadband set up"

Just a bit of Harmless Wireless Theft? Think Again
The Independent, 10 November 2007

Michael Phillips of comparison site BroadbandChoices says: “If someone else is piggybacking your broadband connection, or if they've hacked in, their online activities will slow down your browsing, and anything that they download will affect your download allowance”

Where Next for Talk Talk Users?
thisismoney.co.uk, 24 October 2007

Michael Phillips, product director for comparison business broadbandchoices.co.uk , says: “The difference in the service you get from different providers can be huge. It's worth paying attention to customer service surveys as well as price. Providers like Madasafish.co.uk, Plusnet and Eclipse have a good reputation”

Wake Up to Money
BBC Radio 5 Live, 11 October 2007

Michael Phillips, interviewed live in the studio, said: “TalkTalk still offer one of the most competitive deals in the marketplace. They have invested £15m in customer service since the debacle that started 18 months ago. That said, they're not coming out top of customer service polls”

Get Up to Speed with Broadband Provision
The Independent, 6 October 2007

Michael Phillips of BroadbandChoices said: “Theoretically, you'd need to live next door or on top of the exchange to achieve the advertised speed. We think providers should have to advertise a typical speed, which represents at least two-thirds of their customers - similar to the rules surrounding the use of APRs in adverts for credit cards.”

Wireless broadband thief to face court
Computeractive magazine, 3 September 2007

BroadbandChoices product development director Michael Phillips said: “The results of our survey show that consumers do not protect their wireless connections adequately. WEP is easy to break and you should always use a WPA password. It is also advised that you isolate your wireless signal so that it is invisible to others.”

Broadband caps; good value or a poor service?
Computer Buyer magazine, September 2007 issue

BroadbandChoices.co.uk, a broadband comparison service, says more than half of the UK’s broadband users are spending around £132 million a month on more expensive packages than they need because they fear the penalties of exceeding download limits on cheaper options.

Caught in the tangled net of the ‘unbundlers’
The Observer, 19 August 2007

“Some broadband providers who have a set download limit will charge for extra usage,” says Michael Phillips, product director at online comparison service BroadbandChoices.co.uk. “Some packages that offer ‘no contract’ charge an exit fee if you leave within 12 months, in order to recover the money they have to pay BT to connect you,” says Phillips.

Super fast broadband fails to deliver
The Sunday Times, 12 August 2007

Michael Phillips at BroadbandChoices, said: “Some customers would be better off going for a 2Mb or 4Mb package where they could actually get the speeds they’re paying for.” He said the situation was getting worse, with customers less likely to achieve the top speeds than a year ago.

Free notebooks for new custom
Computeractive magazine, 9 August 2007

However, the benefits of both [free laptop] deals have been questioned by price and service comparison site BroadbandChoices. Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices, said: “I would always caution people against committing to long contracts and at 24 months, these ones are mammoth.”

Don’t just lap up these broadband deals
The Sunday Telegraph, 5 August 2007

Micahel Phillips of BroadbandChoices.co.uk points out that the free laptop from Orange is, as you might expect, a very basic model. “It is low-specification and already out-of-date,” he says.

ISPs offer free notebooks with broadband
Computeractive online, 27 July 2007

Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices, said: “I would always caution people against committing to long contracts and at 24 months, this is a real mammoth.
“Consumers need to consider the faster speeds and better value packages they will undoubtedly miss out on in the coming two years.”
“Customers need to think about issues like customer service,” added Phillips.

Brits ‘are afraid of WiFi’
Web User magazine, 19 July 2007

“ISPs are helping to create these misconceptions that stop consumers from taking advantage of the benefits of wireless,” said Michael Phillips, product director of BroadbandChoices.co.uk. “This misconception could be down to ISPs giving the impression that they are offering a ‘wireless package’ when they are just providing a normal broadband connection with a wireless router as part of the deal,” said Phillips.

TalkTalk ‘steals’ internet users
Sunday Times, 1 July 2007

[Following accusations of “slamming” by TalkTalk] Analysis by comparison firm BroadbandChoices suggested that up to 1,000 people had been switched away from smaller providers in this way.

Broadband comparison sites
Review of BroadbandChoices.co.uk by The Observer, 10 September 2006

“The site is quick and easy to use and it's useful to see the results ranked by yearly cost, which reflects any extras such as equipment that has to be paid for. However, you can also sort by provider, speed, monthly cost or a host of other criteria. The website won’t sign you up directly with your choice of provider, but sends you through to the provider’s site, where you’ll have to fill in all your details.”