Consumers Choose Mobile Broadband Over Holidays and New Clothes.

Ofcom have released the results of their latest survey and once again it shows just how popular broadband had become. The results show that whilst the Recession has affected people's spending habits a broadband connection is still seen as a necessity rather than a luxury. Consumers were asked what they had cut back on in order to save money in these economically tough times and most were unwilling to give up their internet connection entirely.



47% of those who responded to the survey said that the would cut back on going out for dinner and 41% said they would cut back on holidays in order to save. A quarter said that they would spend less on new clothes and 19% planned to spend less on their mobile phone. In contrast only 10% planned to cut back on broadband.

Around 68% of households now have a broadband connection, up 10% from last year. Mobile Broadband is the fastest growing sector with around a quarter of a million new connections this May alone. This means that just over 1 in 10 households now have a mobile broadband contract which is amazing when you consider that the technology is only a few years old.

The perceived lack of money means that consumers are becoming increasingly interested in getting better deals particularly when it comes to long term pay as you go mobile broadband packages. This will no doubt benefit those with the best mobile broadband packages but those who's offers are less competitive stand to lose out.

Three Offers One Month Mobile Broadband Contract

The Mobile Broadband industry is a very competitive one. Each year the big broadband providers try to bring out better deals in order to convince new consumers to sign up with them. Some offer free laptops others generous download limits. Three has decided to offer a new one month only contract aimed at those who don't want to get tied in to 18 months worth of monthly charges.

Their pay as you go mobile broadband offerings now include a month-by-month contract with a 5gb download allowance. Their 'dongle' (don't you just hate that word?) costs £20 on this contract taking the first monthly cost to £35. Users can cancel at any time and will only be required to pay for the remainder of the month. In contrast those canceling most 12+ month contracts are obliged to pay the remainder of their monthly costs making it effectively impossible to cancel most mobile broadband contracts.

This deal is likely to appeal to those needing mobile broadband in the short term. Students who spend part of the year at home will be able to use mobile broadband whilst at university without having to pay for it year-round. The downside to this plan is that you would receive a considerably smaller download allowance than with a long term contract.