INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightGetty ImagesHaggling could save households £120 a year on broadband, but 45% of customers have not asked their current
provider for a better deal, according to Which?The consumer group found that 78% of people who negotiated were offered an incentive,
discount or a better deal.More than 5,000 customers were asked by Which? whether they had haggled for a new deal or switched in the past
year, and if so, how much they had saved.A total of 52% found haggling easy and 27% said it was difficult.While 45% of those asked said they
had never contacted their current provider to ask for a better deal, 38% had never switched provider and 24% had not switched for more than
three years.Of the customers who said they have not recently negotiated with their provider, 51% said they were paying the same as when they
first signed up.Two-fifths who had not attempted to haggle with their provider said it was because they were happy with the current price
they were paying.While 71% of those who switched provider said the process was easy, 27% experienced time without an internet connection
during the move.Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: "Many of us obediently pay our bills throughout the year
without ever giving it a second thought, but just one phone call or online chat could save you £120 this Christmas."There are bigger
savings to be had for those willing to switch to a new provider, but even if you are happy where you are, don't be afraid to ask for a
discount - it could make all the difference."For most customers, switching is straightforward, Which? said, as most customers need only
contact the provider they are moving to.This provider-led switching is in place for all the providers using the Openreach network, including
BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Zen Internet.Customers switching to or from a separate network need to go through the cease and
re-provide process, which involves asking the previous provider to switch the old connection off and the customer having to co-ordinate the
move to the new provider themselves.Regulator Ofcom is due to consult on changes to the switching process next year, which could make the
