Many New Zealanders, particularly older consumers, are paying more than necessary for their broadband plans, often because they have been “speedwashed” into believing they need faster internet than they actually use, new research suggests.
A study by comparison site NZ Compare found that a large proportion of people aged over 50 are spending excessively on broadband plans, largely due to confusion around internet speeds and a reluctance to shop around for better deals, RNZ reported.
“Speed was considered an important factor when choosing a plan, but nearly half of those surveyed didn’t know what speed they were actually on,”
said NZ Compare chief executive Gavin Male. The findings showed that many households are sold high-speed, high-cost plans they do not need.
Author's summary: Overpaying for broadband plans is common among older New Zealanders.