uSwitch.com broadband news December 2005

The British population are intensifying their searches for the best broadband deal, according to figures from internet research firm Hitwise.

A 35% year-on-year increase for the volume of UK web searches containing the word 'broadband' was detected in November.

Heather Hopkins, director of research for Hitwise UK, noted that such searches have a knock-on effect for industry in general.

She said: "Increased broadband take-up is a contributing factor to the online retailing boom that we are witnessing in the lead-up to Christmas.

"Offline advertising has led to brand name searches online, with nine of the top 20 search terms that include the keyword 'broadband' including the name of a provider."

BT is still the most searched-for provider, though its share of searches is decreasing as new competition keeps entering the market.