Obary Center Blog

The number of broadband and telephone complaints to Ofcom has dropped over the last twelve months. More specifically, the number of complaints related to broadband switching and MAC codes has dropped to half this year according to Ofcom complaints data published along with its Consumer Bulletin.

This year’s top complaints included issues related to broadband migration, mis-selling of fixed line and mobile, silent calls and forcing of additional charges upon consumers by the service providers.

Ofcom explained that this decline in complaints might be due to the slowing housing market, one of the many effects of a recessionary economy. When people move, they tend to change their broadband and fixed line providers as a part of the process. As a result, problems occur while switching broadband and home phones. This process is infrequent in the current economic climate contributing to lesser number of grievances, explained Ofcom.

Ofcom serves as a regulatory body and keeps a watch on service providers. The service providers are answerable to Ofcom if they are found to be breaking any laws or dealing unfairly with the consumers. To help customers deal with broadband and telephone related problems, Ofcom has published many guides. Or you can always refer to http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk/ for provider reviews and broadband news which offer a good insight into the various ISP’s practices.

The latest Consumer bulletin specifies details to the consumers about work done by Ofcom over the last few months. Ofcom also released a guide on Migration Authorisation Codes (MACs) last year after it noticed that broadband switching remained a problem for many consumers. This guide is available for viewing at ofcom.org.uk/media/features/pipmac.

"Lesser Broadband Complaints This Year, Declares Ofcom" was written on July 7, 2009 and filed in End Users, Telecommunication Management, University Of Technology