O2 Scoops Top Prize in PC Advisor Broadband Survey, Sponsored by Broadband Genie

CAMBRIDGE, England - The 2009 PC Advisor Broadband Survey results have been announced, with O2 taking the ‘Best Buy’ award despite strong challenges from ‘Recommended’ internet service providers BE Broadband, PlusNet and Zen Internet.

The survey, sponsored by www.broadbandgenie.co.uk and now in its fifth year, asked people to provide feedback on the reliability of their connections, the download speeds they achieve and the customer service they receive. With more than 6,500 PC Advisor readers responding, the results are the most extensive insight into broadband customer satisfaction levels in the UK.

Felix Geyr, O2 head of home and broadband, said: “We are delighted to win this award for O2 Broadband. It has been a great year for us and we believe we have a great value product at a good price. Our customers get peace of mind when they buy from us with added benefits like access to free internet security, free UK customer service and no connection charges. Thanks to everyone who voted for us and we are looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”

PC Advisor editor Paul Trotter added: “With such a large reader response rate, the PC Advisor Broadband Survey has become the most trusted survey of its type in the UK, and this year ranked and rated the top 14 ISPs. A number of ISPs fared well in the results, but O2 stood out from the crowd with customers providing positive reports about download speeds, customer service and the reliability of their connections.”

Head of marketing at BE Broadband Oli White said: “We’re delighted to be a recommended broadband provider in this year’s survey. BE Broadband is increasingly being seen as the only choice for broadband users wanting an unbundled service from a provider that is focused on access and nothing else. Download speeds are becoming increasingly competitive, so people are looking for better reliability and unlimited download policies, which is why BE is becoming a more attractive choice for consumers who want to avoid compromising their broadband by taking a bundle of phone and TV.”

Andrew Saunders, head of product management and marketing at Zen Internet, commented: “We are grateful to all our customers who took the time to take part in PC Advisor’s survey. These independent results clearly reflect our commitment to providing all of our customers with a broadband service that can be relied upon whatever the time of day. Our customers only have to sign up to a monthly contract and they choose to stay with us because they are pleased with the service we provide.”

PlusNet CEO Anthony Vollmer said: “We are delighted to receive a ‘Recommended’ accolade in the 2009 PC Advisor Broadband Survey. We are extremely proud to offer the UK’s cheapest standalone broadband at just GBP5.99 a month, with quality service and support.”

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling added: “As part of my role I read our website visitor comments about ISPs and follow the discussions in our forums. The nature of a good, trusted comparison site means showing negative feedback about broadband providers, but it’s not all bad news. It’s great to see the companies that more often than not get positive feedback featuring so prominently in the survey: these recommendations are well deserved.”

Notes to Editors

1. Broadband Genie is the UK’s leading independent broadband and mobile broadband comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on broadband 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. Both sites are among the most popular sites in their respective fields, and regularly feature in the national press. www.broadbandgenie.co.uk / mobile.broadbandgenie.co.uk

2. PC Advisor delivers expert and trustworthy advice to business and home PC users. Spanning online, print and mobile, PC Advisor offers comprehensive and impartial buying advice and groundbreaking coverage of service-related issues with some of the most rigorous, in-depth, and trusted reviews in the industry. PC Advisor is part of IDG, the world’s biggest technology media, events, and research company. Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at www.idg.com

3. 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@genieventures.co.uk

Source: Broadband Genie

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