Wrong number: business comms offer a poor deal

There are exceptions, and there are some deals on the market for broadband and mobile data services in particular where businesses pay less than a consumer would.

However, Ofcom's research found that a significant minority of business users do not shop around for their services. Companies are most likely to review their mobile bills - 84 per cent had done so in the last four years but a full one third of companies had not reviewed their internet service provider's (ISPs) contracts in that time.

Ofcom found that it is not just inertia that prevents businesses from switching. Difficulties in comparing suppliers, complex pricing and long contracts are all blocking competition.

The regulator also found that poor customer service was an issue for businesses, and in particular, that problems took too long to fix and that providers passed the buck, rather than assigning a single person to resolve the issue.

Ofcom will be following up the research with other studies of the business market, including one, due this year, on provision for smaller businesses. The regulator will also be looking at the competition rules, to ensure that these are being followed.

At the same time, though, there are good deals out there, any providers of both fixed and mobile voice and data services are hungry to win new business.

Large enterprises often review their spending in this area annually, and now, with the new financial year days away, is as good a time as any to do likewise.

Ofcom's guide to telecoms for small businesses is available here

Stephen Pritchard is a contributing editor at IT PRO.

Comments? Questions? You can email him here.