Bad wifi has left more than half of Brits struggling, with some left missing out on once-in-a-lifetime concert tickets, job opportunities, phone sex sessions – and even family funerals
More than half of us struggle with sketchy broadband at least twice a month – and most of us can’t be bothered to do anything about it, new research has found.
People reported missing out on once-in-a-lifetime concert tickets, losing job opportunities and even being unable to watch a family funeral online as a result of patchy wifi, according to a new survey from by mobile and broadband provider giffgaff. One individual told researchers their relationship ended because of constant broadband failures. And others said their phone sex sessions had been ruined when the broadband cut out.
Around 53 per cent of people suffer regular problems with their wifi, listing the top frustrations as frozen work calls (17%), lost shopping orders (13%) and films or TV shows cutting out mid-stream (12%).
Meanwhile, people are going to extraordinary lengths to stay connected. More than a third (36%) have left the house to find signal – heading to cafés, friends’ homes, libraries and even supermarket car parks. Six per cent admitted parking outside an ex’s house to use their wifi.
At home, coping tactics are just as desperate. Thirty-eight per cent of respondents said they wander round the house trying to get a better signal, 17% shout at the router, and 8% drain their phone data by tethering. And some even lean out of the window hoping for a better connection. And despite so many irritated Brits taking to neighbourhood WhatsApp groups to ask “is anyone else’s Wi-Fi down?”, many refuse to switch providers – saying it’s just too much faff.
Almost a third (31%) say it’s too much hassle to move, while a quarter think another provider wouldn’t be any better. In the meantime, households are losing nearly 50 hours a year – more than a full working week – trying to fix their broadband.
giffgaff says its new full fibre broadband aims to solve these problems, with three simple rolling plans starting at £34 a month, no installation fees, and symmetrical upload and download speeds. The service has already launched in parts of the North West, Yorkshire and the East Midlands, with more areas to follow before the end of the year.
Ash Schofield, CEO of giffgaff, said: ‘’Our research shows just how frustrating and disruptive unreliable broadband has become in people’s everyday lives. It’s clear that many feel stuck with a service they’re not happy with. That’s why we invited over 500 people to help shape our offering, ensuring we deliver a service that is built around what people actually want. The launch of giffgaff’s full fibre broadband provides a flexible and reliable option with no fuss and no compromise.
Ditching bad broadband and switching to giffgaff could be the answer to a lot of people’s frustrations and is really simple to do.’’