'Free' Laptop Deals are Still Number one With Consumers

CAMBRIDGE, England, August 10, 2010 - Despite claims mobile broadband sales have dipped, and some bad press for
both mobile broadband speeds and the way the offers are marketed, so-called
'free' laptop deals are still number one with consumers, according to
Broadbandgenie.co.uk.

There has been much criticism of the sales term 'free laptops'. The cost
of the laptop is actually factored in to the monthly payments through the
contract, which normally spreads over two years. They are more like hire
purchase arrangements, but with little (if any) extra interest added, making
them a very tempting proposition for many.

Almost half of mobile broadband sales made after comparing products at
Broadband Genie are still laptop deals, despite the fact dongle-only and
pay-as-you-go deals are significantly cheaper. Deals where the laptop isn't
'free', but greatly reduced in price, are also proving extremely popular.

This figure has not changed significantly over the past year, despite the
fact broadband suppliers have pulled back from promoting and advertising
these deals, with some stopping them altogether. Despite this, the public's
desire for them is still very strong.

These figures are even more surprising when you account for the fact
mobile broadband networks tend to reject around 75 per cent of online
applications made for 'free' laptop deals, due to credit ratings not meeting
their required standards.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: "Mobile broadband is getting a
bit of a hammering from all sides at the moment. Average speeds are a
fraction of those advertised, and haven't gone up significantly for what
seems like an age - a far cry from the challenge to home broadband some
predicted.

"At the other end of the scale, the mobile has become a real challenger
on data. Smartphones are getting cheaper and more sophisticated at the same
time, while an ever growing abundance of 'apps' make surfing the web, getting
email and hooking up to social networking sites a breeze.

"But so-called 'free' laptop deals are still hugely popular with the
British public. In hard economic times, when savings have dried up, it's nice
to know you can get a great laptop, and get online, as soon as you sign the
deal - often with no initial financial outlay."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile
broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an
unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to
compare broadband providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie
was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site
for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile
broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined
in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the
most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press.
www.broadbandgenie.co.uk

2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling
at Broadband Genie: chris.marling@genieventures.co.uk

www.broadbandgenie.co.uk

All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling at Broadband Genie: t +44(0)844-415-5531 / f +44(0)871-6618553 / m +44(0)7908-327303 / chris.marling at genieventures.co.uk