City where Brits waste the most time waiting for slow internet is revealed

LONDONERS waste more time than the rest of the UK waiting for sluggish broadband – typically losing 42 hours a year, according to research.

A poll of 2,000 adults found internet users in the capital will waste nearly 23 minutes a week of their personal time while webpages load and videos buffer.

And this rises to an average of 25 minutes per week when online at work.

In comparison, those in the North West are giving up 39 hours throughout the course of a year to slow broadband at home and at work.

While West Midlands’ surfers are hanging on for 35 hours.

Nationally, the average time wasted waiting for each year is also around 35 hours.

Kevin Murphy, CEO of London-only internet provider G.Network, which commissioned the research to launch its initiative covering up to £150 of early termination fees for new customers, said: “There are a number of obstacles that mean Londoners are struggling with poor internet despite good infrastructure being available in the city.

“Part of the issue is that it can be daunting to switch suppliers when you’re tied into a contract, and often, people will just decide to see it through to the end.”

It comes after a separate survey of 2,560 Londoners found 33 per cent are actively looking to ditch their internet provider at the next opportunity.

For 36 per cent of these, their biggest cause for concern is the high prices they are facing.

But 22 per cent are worried their contracts are too long for them to shop around and get better value for their money.

And early exit fees are holding back 23 per cent from switching providers, the OnePoll data revealed.

Kevin Murphy, who is also warning broadband customers they face price hikes of eight per cent this April due to inflation rises, added: “We know from research one of the major driving forces behind switching is because of high monthly costs and regular price increases.

“And the bad news for many is that this is going to continue – at quite an alarming rate.

“When you sign up for a contract you should know exactly what you’ll be paying for the duration and not be lumbered with above inflation increases – customers deserve transparency when it comes to cost.”