Only One in Five Consumers ‘OK’ With Their Mobile Broadband Speeds

CAMBRIDGE, England, November 22, 2011 -

The latest poll from Broadband Genie has found that just 20 per cent of mobile broadband users are happy with their speeds.

Of more than 1,500 people polled, less than 100 (just 5.3 per cent) said they were definitely happy with their mobile broadband speed, with another 15.8 per cent saying it was ‘OK’.

A massive 56.8 per cent said they were unhappy, with the final 22 per cent saying they were unsure.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: “This is another damning indictment on the state of mobile broadband in the UK.

“While home broadband speeds have been racing forward, 3G mobile broadband has stood still - devices that were heralded as ‘up to’ 7.2Mb almost five years ago are still often averaging below 2Mb in reality.

“Consumers are increasingly unhappy about mobile broadband speeds because they are getting more and more out of their home broadband. They expect that experience to translate to their internet experience on the move - thanks to poor reception, frequent drop-outs and slow speeds, it simply isn’t even close.

“To make matters worse, Ofcom is dragging its heels over the 4G spectrum auction that should see things improve dramatically. A date still hasn’t been set, let alone one for when it will be handed over. Even optimistic best guesses put the auction in 2012; actual 4G mobile broadband services won’t be a reality until 2013.

“It’s a joke - especially when you consider there were complaints about the auction being put off as far back as early 2010, when the general election got in the way. Back then a Government spokesperson said it could reduce the likelihood of the auctions, ‘being held this year, or even before mid-2011′. Chance would’ve been a fine thing!”

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 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@broadbandgenie.co.uk

Chris Marling at Broadband Genie: t +44(0)844-415-5531 / f +44(0)871-6618553 / m +44(0)7908-327303