Just about everyone believes they are paying too much for broadband

I had thought it was just me and a few other people here in the Silicon Valley who thought they were overpaying for broadband service.  I happen to have an insider’s view of some of the internet business and understand the costs necessary to install and maintain all the pieces of the infrastructure.

In short, I believe that the prices being charged for broadband could be lower and still leave room for decent profits, but that is just my personal opinion.

When I saw the figures of a nation-wide survey performed by Broadband Expert, I realize that I am no longer in the minority.  I am amazed that 94% of the respondents agree with me that we are paying too much for broadband.

I believe that I am paying 40% over what I should be paying.  Well, so much for thinking I have unique thoughts – over 50% of the people agree with me.

The group believes they are being overcharges by 26 to 50%.  Another 33% think they are overpaying by 10% to 25%.

So what can you do to change this?  Well, you can shop around.  Just find out all the vendors available to you and compare all the options.

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to compare all the different offerings from the various vendors.  It just is not easy.  I know from first-hand experience.

Only 6% of people have either not shopped around or just didn’t bother to have an opinion.  The other 94% have shopped for the best broadband deal.

68% of the people who shopped said they were discouraged by all they had to go through in comparing all the options of all the vendors or simply did not know where to start.  As I said earlier, it is possible; I didn’t say it would be easy.

A supermajority, 76%, agreed it was possible, but very difficult.  There are a lot of different web sites to go to and then different sections of the broadband providers’ sites to compare the various plans.

You say you only have one broadband provider?  I feel sorry for you as I happen to have a choice between two cable broadband providers.

You might still get a better price or bargain.  Most broadband providers have many different plans and bundling options.  Chances are that as soon as you talk with a representative you will be pushed into a larger priced plan that you actually need.  Remember, it is their job to sell the most they can.

Is there a way to save your valuable time and hard-earned money?  Yes there is.

Go to Broadband Expert, enter your address and zip code and get a listing of all the different plans available to you along with what actual customers think about the broadband providers.  There are also independent opinions, good and bad, which can help you make your selection.

If you are going to do it yourself, I recommend using a spreadsheet and setting aside many, many hours for collecting all the data and costs of all the plans and providers.  I myself have better things to do with what precious little spare time I have.