A new study has revealed the areas of the UK that are most overspending on broadband services, with several towns and cities in the country found to be spending more than £200 more annually on average than they could be if they found a better deal.According to price comparison service Broadband Genie, who surveyed 3,997 Brits across the country, the city overspending the most on broadband is Wolverhampton, at an average excess of £292.56 per year.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Read more: Virgin Media confirms hidden Wi-Fi test that proves how bad your broadband is Read more: Major broadband provider confirms bills are going up - full details This was closely followed by Wrexham at £280.32, Liverpool at £278.88 and Gloucester at £276.36.Exeter, Birmingham, Manchester, Cambridge, Hull and Leeds residents were also found to be spending more than £250 above the odds every 12 months.Such overspending happens when broadband customers reach the end of their initial contract and their providers raise their monthly price.
SUBSCRIBE Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding.You can unsubscribe at any time.
Read our Privacy PolicyThis is not illegal, but you do not have to continue to pay this higher rate - even though avoiding it is often up to you.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT“Broadband contracts are typically sold for a minimum term of 24 months.After this period, customers are moved to a rolling monthly contract at a higher rate,” Broadband Genie explained.
“Across the UK, 8.8 million customers are out of contract and free to switch to something cheaper.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTOf the cities that overspent the least, Newport came out on top at £70.20, a substantial gap to Lincoln at £123.96.Derby, Glasgow, Nottingham and Milton Keynes came in ahead of London, whose inhabitant overspent on average £209.52, the same as those in Norwich.While it is sometimes possible to renegotiate a lower price with your provider once your contract ends, this can seem a stressful endeavour.Often you have to threaten to leave the service before a customer service employee offers you a discount, and that’s if you can get through to anyone in the first place.Martin Lewis explains money saving broadband tip “No customer should have to settle for overpriced broadband for below-par speeds,” said Alex Tofts of Broadband Genie.
“Too many providers take advantage of loyal customers by hiking up their price when they come to the end of their deal.“Switching your broadband deal may sound daunting, but it’s actually stress-free.Once you choose a new deal, your new provider will handle all the legwork and cancel your existing one.In most cases, you won’t even notice the switch happening on the day.”Your provider being required to handle the switch to a new broadband service is down to UK regulator Ofcom introducing One Touch Switch, an initiative that forces internet firms to comply with customers’ switching requests.
Previously, many people were put off switching due to the complicated and arduous work they themselves had to put it in.Now it is a legal requirement of the providers’.
