Here’s a selection of the stories we commented on in 2006 and 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"
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
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"
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"
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”
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”
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”
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.”
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.”
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.
>“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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
>“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.
[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.
“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.”