Recent reports have shown that increasing numbers of consumers are switching their broadband providers to save money during the credit crunch.

According to a survey by AOL Broadband, 59 per cent of consumers in the UK have switched their suppliers for a service such as mobile phones and broadband, reports SourceWire.com.

Long-term contracts seem to be one of the main casualties as subscribers look for cheaper short-term options.

Nearly 50 per cent of those that changed opted for this solution to their financial problems, with a similar number stating that long-term contracts made them "feel pinned down".

The region with the most disloyal customers was found to be the north-east, with three-quarters saying that they had switched suppliers for a service in the past year.

Subscribers from Scotland and the east Midlands are the most devoted to their contracts with only 48 per cent switching in the last 12 months.

Eight out of ten suggested that they would prefer to choose an option that has no contract over one that is identical but a contract-based service.

David Pagliari, executive director of AOL broadband, commented: "The message is that consumers now expect the flexibility to choose whether they sign up to a contract for their services or not.

"It is clearly an important factor, with 79 per cent of our respondents saying that contracts or the lack of them are a deciding factor when looking at services."

AOL currently offers a wireless plus free laptop bundle for £19.99 each month.

The package delivers speeds up to 8Mbps with a download allowance of 40GB each month. A free router is included in the deal.


Tuesday, 23rd September 2008

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