uSwitch.com the website which compares broadband suppliers, has cynically dismissed BT's recentannouncement of it's 5 millionth broadband connection, claiming it to be a smokescreen for it's falling market share. "BT’s actual broadband market share has decreased by 10 per cent in the last five months. 65 per cent of BT Wholesale’s five million customers are actually with other providers such as the likes of Tiscali, Wanadoo and AOL, who all offer more competitive packages.” Jon Miller, director of uSwitch.com, Research from uSwitch has found that over a third (35%) of internet users surveyed, cited cost as the main reason for not having broadband access at home. This figure shows an unawareness to the general public of broadband costs, as many broadband connections actually cost less than some dialup packages.The research, conducted for uSwitch December 2004 found that: More than half (52%) switched from dial up to broadband because they want to use the phone line at the same time as the net Two fifths (42%) watch music videos and movie trailers One in four (25%) download mp3 files Eight out of ten (81%) use the phone at the same time as being online One third (34%) listen to radio stations around the worldThis differs for a Homecall survey earlier in 2004 which showed that the main reason for UK broadband was porn, with 35% saying that was the main reason or their getting broadband. 12% cited access to music videos, 8% access to movie trailers, and 9% for radio, and only 5% cited social factors."lies, damn lies, and statistics." as Benjamin Disraeli used to say.
