Your cookie preferences


We use cookies and similar technologies. You can use the settings below to accept all cookies (which we recommend to give you the best experience) or to enable specific categories of cookies as explained below. Find out more by reading our Cookie Policy.

Select cookie preferences

Skip to main content

Uswitch comments on Ofcom plans to automatically compensate broadband users for poor service

Commenting on plans published by Ofcom which would see landline and broadband customers who suffer slow repairs, missed deadlines or appointments, receive money back from their provider without having to ask, Richard Neudegg, head of regulation at Uswitch.com, comments:

“We welcome Ofcom’s proposals to automatically compensate those forced to wait in for missed appointments, experienced installation delays or suffered slow repairs. This will firmly place the impetus on providers to keep to their word.

“We shouldn’t pretend the level of compensation proposed – £30 per missed appointment for example – will be enough to make up for missing a day’s work. But, even at a modest level of compensation per user, the collective financial burden on providers will increase the pressure to improve service.

“In a survey we recently carried out, broadband users who’d experienced downtime told us engineer delays accounted for 29% of excuses offered by broadband providers but, in a further 22% of cases, no reason was actually given for the hold-up.

“Automatic compensation may also help to address fears of being without broadband when changing provider. Only 11% have moved to a new provider in the past year, and 35% have never switched. These people are missing out on average savings of £118 per year.

“We’re so reliant on broadband that, for many, the prospect of any downtime may be practically unimaginable – especially for the 25% of adults who now work from home part or full time.”

Find out how you could save over £1,000 a year with Uswitch here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Claire Jones

Phone: 020 7148 4663

Email: Claire.Jones@uswitch.com

Twitter: @uswitchPR

About us

It’s all about “U”!

Thank you for indulging us over the last 20 years by using a small ‘u’ and a big ‘S’ when writing about our brand in your articles.

We are delighted to let you know that you are now off the hook - it’s big U’s all the way (and small s’s) as we undertake our biggest ever rebrand - so let your autocorrect go wild!

About Uswitch

Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.

Uswitch is part of RVU, a new business that also owns Money.co.uk and Bankrate.

If you would no longer like to receive our press releases please email prteam@uswitch.com with 'unsubscribe'.