16 January 2008
Customer complaints about their home broadband service rose by 43% in 2007 over the previous year, an advice service has revealed.
The study, from government body Consumer Direct, registered a total of 13,536 broadband-related complaints for the year.
In total, 2007 marked an 18% rise in overall complaints to the service with irate consumers ringing in due to poor treatment from firms.
Michele Shambrook, Operations Manager for Consumer Direct, said: "The rise in complaints in 2007 reflects, in part, a growing awareness of the service among the general public as well as an increasing willingness among consumers to complain when they buy unsatisfactory goods or receive poor service.
"Consumers are finding that by arming themselves with information about their rights, they stand a better chance of resolving problems with shops and traders."
The highest number of complaints for 2007 concerned second-hand cars purchased from independent dealers.
Mobile phone and TV-related problems took second and third place on the list - with broadband providers coming ninth overall.