Extinction for the landline
Millions of Brits have no idea what their home telephone number is.
Research launched yesterday by Relish broadband reveals Brits are paying for a landline they no longer use as one in five admit they don’t even know their own home number. The study also reveals six in ten Brits are now only paying for a landline just to get a broadband connection.
In response to the research, Relish is asking people to bring in their dusty, unused home phones to the UK’s first Landline Exchange Café at Soho Grind in London. Taking place between Wednesday 30th November and Friday 2nd December, Londoners will be able to swap their landlines for something they actually want – a free cup of coffee and croissant!
Here’s the press release:
23rd November 2016: New research launched today reveals Brits are paying for a landline they just no longer use, as one in five (18%) admit they don’t even know their home number.
The study, released by Relish broadband, reveals six in ten(60%) Brits are now only paying for a landline to get a broadband connection. A third (36%) of us use it once a month or less and if our landline were to ring, a third (33%) of the nation would assume it to be an automated or sales call, and a fifth (22%) simply wouldn’t bother picking up – regardless of who was on the other end.
Following the ASA’s move in October to crack down on the way internet providers advertise the actual cost of their line rental to consumers, the timely study reveals the alarming redundancy of a service that the British public don’t use but still have to pay for.
Six in 10 (60%) wish they could get rid of their landline completely – a staggering 20% increase since 2014*. As Brits continue to rely on other forms of communication such as mobile phones and social media to keep up with friends and family, over half (57%) of us consider the landline a ‘redundant’ piece of technology, a figure that rises to nearly 7 in 10 (67%) among 18 – 24 year olds. Furthermore, a fifth (22%) of the UK predict we will be landline-free within two years, if not sooner.
Bridget Lorimer, Head of Brand and Consumer Marketing at Relish, said, “Our results have found that millions of consumers are paying for a service that they just aren’t using, exemplified by the fact they can’t even recall their own number! Despite this however, they are still being charged for monthly line rental on top of the cost of their broadband by internet service providers. It is ridiculous to think that today anyone would be paying for a service they don’t use, and it is clear the British public are desperate to say goodbye to the landline.”
In response to millions of landlines going unused, Relish is asking people to bring in their dusty old home phones to the UK’s first ‘Landline Exchange Café’ at Soho Grind in London. Taking place between Wednesday 30th November and Friday 2nd December, Londoners will be able to swap their landlines for something they actually want – a free cup of coffee and a croissant!
About Relish
Relish is a communications provider covering central London. We know our customers are always busy and on the move, so our services help them get online quickly and easily, without any hassle.
Our exclusive 4G and wireless networks mean that you can get online without needing to wait for a broadband installation guy, long contracts or unwanted landlines. From our home and business broadband services through to our Dedicated Business Internet, if you’re in need of fast internet without the kerfuffle, we’ve got you covered.
Relish. Broadband rebooted.
For further information, please contact the Relish team at: relish@wcommunications.co.uk
Users can check whether they’re in coverage at relish.net.
Relish’s key service features:
o Broadband delivered the same working day in central London
o ‘Plug and play’ simple set-up
o No need to take a phone line
o No long contracts or hidden charges
o Unlimited data
o Flexible contracts
