New research from the PostOffice reveals that families with broadband can save £70 per month (£840 per year) through online access to cheaper household goods and services. Those who are online paint a picture of a ‘broad-bound’ society where 96% consider Internet access to be a lifestyle necessity they could not live without.

Yet one third of UK households are missing out on these savings, and the wider benefits, because they are still not online. The PostOffice estimates that a total of almost £4.5 billion of potential savings are being missed by non-web users each year:


The research claims that the initial outlay of buying a computer and getting set up online can be paid off through online savings within 18 months for the majority of households (80%). The PostOffice is also the only broadband provider to offer a flat rate for customers who prefer to pre-pay in cash rather than by direct debit. There is high demand for this: 45% of their broadband customers currently pay in cash.

Internet access also opens doors to equally important social benefits from employment and education to public services and communication tools. Naturally the PostOffice has designed this research to coincide with its recent broadband and voice service price cuts, as we reported earlier in the week (news).