Cobourg, ON – September 13, 2016: A recent online survey that asked residents in Northumberland County (Port Hope, Cobourg, Hamilton Township, Alnwick-Haldimand, Cramahe, Trent Hills and Brighton) questions about their internet access found that only 29% of customers were happy with their current internet provider, and that 71% were open to potentially switching providers. The survey revealed a wide range in customer satisfaction levels and in prices people are paying.
Respondents biggest complaints were cost and slow speed, 64% thought their internet was “Too Expensive”. The next complaint was “Too Slow”, followed by “Unreliable connection. It doesn’t stay connected reliably”, “Not enough Download Allowance”, and lastly “Poor Customer Service”.
How are people in Northumberland County connecting to the internet? The survey revealed that the majority connect by wireless, twice as many as the next closest method by satellite.
- 44% wireless
- 21% satellite
- 18% cable
- 10% cellular
- 6% dial-up
- 2% didn’t know
At the top of the complaint list was cost. The respondents monthly average bills were:
- 35% paid $50-75.
- 30% paid $75-100.
- 16% paid $35-50.
- 15% paid More than $100.
- 2% paid Under $35.
When it came to reliability, the results were mixed. Only 26% answered that their internet worked 100% of the time. The largest percentage at 32% said their internet worked 90% of the time, while 21% said they had internet 75% of the time. 7% of respondents said their internet only worked half the time, and 14% said their internet was “Unreliable”.
Reliability and speed were big concerns to the two-thirds of respondents who use their internet for business or employment.
Not surprisingly, the satisfaction levels covered a wide range, with more respondents (14%) being “Extremely Dissatisfied” compared to 13% being “Extremely Satisfied”. The largest group at 25% were “Somewhat Satisfied”, There was a tie response for “Somewhat Satisfied” and “Somewhat Dissatisfied” which both responses receiving 15%. “Very Dissatisfied” was the chosen response of 13%.
The survey was sponsored by two local internet providers, Ruralwave (ruralwave.ca) and Airnet (airnet.ca), who are members of Canwisp (Canadian Association of Wireless Internet Providers)
About Ruralwave (ruralwave.ca)
Ruralwave has been providing internet locally since 2005. Their current high speed broadband starts at $49.99 and plans range from download speeds of 5 to 50Mbps, and uploads from 0.521 to 25Mbps. Monthly data allowance starts at 45GB and goes to 500GB in top plans; an extra $59.99 gets you unlimited bandwidth. Ruralwave’s 10 full time staff and 4 part time staff provide 24/7/365 customer and technical support.
About Airnet Wireless Inc (airnet.ca)
Airnet, located in Grafton ON, has been operating since 1998 and was incorporated in 2002. They provide high speed wireless internet across Northumberland County by offering free site surveys to check properties for LOS (Line of Sight). Airnet offers six packages to choose from starting at $40/mo. going up to $135/mo. with speed choices of 6Mbps to 15Mbps; monthly data allowance starts at 30GB but can go up to 900GB with their top MACH-5 package.
Media Contact:
Christine C. Rowland
Blue Cat Design
www.bluecatdesign.com