Broadband users in the UK are wasting money on packages that do not suit their needs, and could save money by switching, Broadbandchoices.co.uk has said.

According to new research by the broadband comparison website, more than half of broadband customers are paying for an ‘unlimited’ download package, but are not taking full advantage of it.

Broadband providers have launched an array of ‘high end’ broadband packages, offering unlimited downloads and high speed internet, which tempt customers with promises of unlimited streaming of music, video clips and films.

But Broadbandchoices.co.uk has found that despite the rising popularity of these packages, many customers do not really need them and could be paying a lower monthly charge for a broadband package better suited to their actual usage.

The research discovered that 53 per cent of broadband users with an unlimited download allowance actually download 10GB or less per month, while 74 per cent download up to 20GB, which Broadbandchoices deems “exceedingly low” compared to their potential download capabilities, and within the realms of cheaper broadband packages.

Commenting on the findings, Michael Phillips, product director at Broadbandchoices.co.uk, said: “When choosing a broadband package it is easy to become distracted by flash marketing and words like ‘unlimited’ or to be scared by the concept of download penalties.”

He added: “Consumers who pay for a service they are not making full use of are in effect throwing money down the drain.”

Mr Phillips urges consumers to compare broadband deals and switch to a more appropriate deal, which could save them £100 or more a year.

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