With more people “WFH” than ever before reliance on getting a fast broadband connection has never been so critical but research by Broadband Choices has found that internet searches for terms such as ‘slow internet’ have risen by more than 60% over the last few weeks.
The threat of COVID-19 has kept most office workers at home so you can see why many are experiencing slow internet speeds as the UK network struggles with the extra Netflix streaming, Joe Wicks workouts and the occasional work-related video call.
While this is understandable during peak hours, getting consistently slow internet could be a sign that your broadband package needs reviewing. With more people (and devices) at home, what used to be sufficient may not be any longer – and there are definitely deals to be had.
How do I know for sure if my broadband is slow?
This is quite a complicated question. Broadband speeds are affected by everything from the distance to the exchange, the quality of the wiring, the number of joints in the wiring, the quality of the router, and even the PC used to run the test. The good thing for us is that we’re just looking for a ballpark to get a feel for the speed you’re getting. Running a casual test in the browser somewhere like BT’s wholesale broadband speed checker will, in most cases, be good enough to check if you’re getting slower broadband speeds than you should.
Can I switch during the Covid-19 crisis?
If your internet speed is far lower than what you’ve been promised, you have a right to complain, and even cancel without penalty if Ofcom agrees that it’s particularly bad regardless of the outbreak.
As always it’s always worth speaking to your existing provider to see if they can resolve the issue or provide a better deal; especially if you’re still within an introductory period.
Those customers who are outside any intro deal will have been moved onto the supplier’s standard rate which is usually much more expensive than any new customer deal. Thankfully you still have the right to switch providers as normal, with most switches still going through fine.
How do I switch?
As always shop around. The only way to ensure you’re not getting ripped off on most household bills is to regularly compare deals and if necessary, vote with your wallet. Have a check on comparison sites like Broadband Choices and uSwitch to get a feel for what deals are available. It’s always worth checking cashback sites like Quidco too for deals that come with some money back for switching as it’s often much more attractive than you can find elsewhere.
As always – if you have spotted a great deal out there, get in touch with our team and let us know.