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Eagles-49ers playoff rematch in December already gaining controversial hype
Eagles-49ers playoff rematch in December already gaining controversial hype
Deebo Samuel just added some more fuel to the fire ahead of the NFC title bout rematch this December between his San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles.No love is lost between San Francisco 49ers superstar Deebo Samuel and the Philadelphia Eagles.San Francisco had been on fire headi...
2023-07-12 04:05
Broadband customers plagued by issues despite inflation-busting price hikes
Broadband customers plagued by issues despite inflation-busting price hikes
More than half of broadband customers have experienced problems with their connection over the past year, despite providers inflicting inflation-busting price hikes, a survey suggests. The latest “broadband satisfaction survey” by Which? found that 53% of the nearly 4,000 broadband customers polled had experienced connection issues in the year to January, most commonly frequent connection dropouts, “very” slow speeds and slow uploads and downloads. The issues were “persistent” across all the providers, with narrow margins between the best and worst offenders for poor customer experiences. It's completely unacceptable that customers who have faced these eye-watering increases are also experiencing so many problems with their connection Which? The watchdog noted that the scale of problems added “insult to injury” as many customers saw their bills jump by more than 14% after many providers chose to impose inflation-based price increases earlier this year. Providers often link their annual price rises to January’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Retail Price Index (RPI), which were 10.5% and 13.4% respectively – an amount which would have been unforeseeable for customers signing up to their contract 18 or 24 months previously. The current system forces millions of customers to choose between paying more each month or exorbitant exit fees, which can exceed £200. Industry watchdog Ofcom is currently investigating whether inflation-linked, mid-contract price rises give customers sufficient certainty and clarity when signing up to new contracts. Of the UK’s biggest providers, Sky, Virgin Media, and EE had the lowest proportion of customers who had not experienced any issues, with just 32%, 35% and 37% of their customers not reporting any problems. Of the major providers, BT fared best with 49% of its customers not experiencing a performance issue in the past year. Hyperoptic, Shell Energy Broadband and Utility Warehouse performed better, with half or more of their customers not experiencing any performance issue over the 12 months. However, even with these providers, at least four in 10 customers said they had experienced at least one problem. Frequent connection drop outs were the most common broadband issue, experienced by 19% of those who had suffered a problem. Some 17% suffered slow speeds, while 15% experienced slow uploads and downloads. One in seven (14%) said they had been left without a connection for at least an hour. One in 10 (12%) experienced slow or disrupted streaming when listening to music or watching videos and 8% said they were left without connection for more than a day. Overall, around four in 10 (44%) said they had experienced some kind of customer service issue and 11% said they had either found it difficult to get in touch with their provider or struggled to get their issue resolved. It’s absolutely critical that Ofcom’s review of inflation linked mid-contract hikes results in changes that ensure customers are never trapped in this situation again Rocio Concha, Which? Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: “A reliable connection is essential to modern life. Earlier this year, many broadband consumers were hit with mid-contract price hikes of more than 14% – meaning that it’s more important than ever that their provider offers a reliable connection and good customer service. “It’s completely unacceptable that customers who have faced these eye-watering increases are also experiencing so many problems with their connection. Broadband firms need to work harder to resolve these issues and offer a better service. “While some customers are able to switch away to better service and prices, many are trapped in contracts where they either have to accept above inflation price hikes in the spring or pay exorbitant exit fees to leave the contract early. “It’s absolutely critical that Ofcom’s review of inflation linked mid-contract hikes results in changes that ensure customers are never trapped in this situation again.” A Sky spokeswoman said: “We are committed to providing the best service to our customers. “We do not believe this is a representative survey – Ofcom’s quarterly complaints data shows we are consistently one of the least complained about broadband providers and, in Ofcom’s latest report, we received the fewest complaints out of all broadband providers.” A Virgin Media spokesman said: “While these findings are only taken from a small sample of customers, the latest, fuller data from Ofcom shows that our customers benefit from the fastest download speeds, and customer complaints on our broadband services fell by 22% in the first quarter of this year.” EE said: “Ofcom’s latest complaints report shows that we remain one of the least complained about broadband providers, with complaints remaining well below the industry average throughout recent years. “We have proudly led the way with social tariffs since 2008, with around 80% of the total market being supported on BT social tariffs. “Customers who are struggling financially and are eligible for our social tariffs can move penalty-free at any point in their contract, this also includes EE and Plusnet customers. “ Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Will.i.am hails AI technology as ‘new renaissance’ in music Heart transplant woman’s daughter twice saved her life using Alexa Dolly Parton on AI and not wanting to leave her soul ‘here on earth’
2023-07-04 07:01
The Most Romantic City in France Is Not Paris, According to This Chef
The Most Romantic City in France Is Not Paris, According to This Chef
At Bloomberg Pursuits, we love to travel. And we always want to make sure we’re doing it right.
2023-06-30 15:30
Barcelona confirm Sergio Busquets to leave at end of season
Barcelona confirm Sergio Busquets to leave at end of season
Barcelona have confirmed that club captain Sergio Busquets will leave on a free transfer this summer, with clubs in Saudi Arabia and the USA interested in his signature.
1970-01-01 08:00
Chemicals maker Clariant's Q2 profit beats forecast
Chemicals maker Clariant's Q2 profit beats forecast
Swiss specialty chemicals maker Clariant on Friday said its second-quarter core profit came in above its forecast range
2023-07-28 13:46
Steve Clarke keen on Scotland finishing Euro 2024 qualification with more points
Steve Clarke keen on Scotland finishing Euro 2024 qualification with more points
Scotland manager Steve Clarke is focused on finishing their Euro 2024 qualification campaign on a high after sealing their place in Germany amid a hat-trick of defeats. A 2-0 loss in Spain was sandwiched by friendly defeats against England and France, but five wins from their opening five games in Group A proved enough for a second successive qualification for the European Championship finals after the Spaniards won in Norway. With a five-month international hiatus to follow, Clarke is eager to ensure Scotland come away from their final competitive matches with points against Georgia and Norway before next summer’s tournament in Germany. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s clash in Tbilisi, Clarke said: “The idea with the friendly matches against England and France was to test ourselves against the best and see where we measure up. “Obviously with the results we had, we still have a bit of work to do. We will try to stay humble, respect our opponents and just try to improve all the time. “Listen, we want to get back to winning ways. It’s not very often in the reign that I have had, apart from the early stages, that we have had consecutive defeats like we have had recently. “It would be nice to think in the remaining two games we can pick up more points. “I have always said we want to get as high a points tally as possible and (we have) two more games to try and do that.” Scotland have lost their previous two games in Georgia, defeats which ultimately prevented them from qualifying for Euro 2008 and 2016. Clarke’s side have shown the ability to break such negative runs, for instance securing the first play-off success and ending a 23-year wait for a major tournament appearance. “Listen, in sport what’s past is past, there is nothing we can do to affect that,” Clarke said of the history in Tbilisi. “All we can do is affect the future, the next game we play. “We have always tried to improve results no matter who we are playing against.” Georgia lost 7-1 at home to Spain in September but they beat Cyprus 4-0 in their most recent qualifier and are assured of a Euro 2024 play-off place thanks to a Nations League campaign which included big wins in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Clarke said: “When you go away from home against a team like Georgia, it’s going to be a difficult environment, a difficult game for us, because they are a very good side. “The one game they lost heavily was against Spain and that’s a little bit of an anomaly in recent games, because all their games have been very competitive. And we expect that on Thursday night.” Clarke is without the likes of Angus Gunn, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey and Che Adams, but he hopes players such as Josh Doig and Lawrence Shankland can seize the opportunity that injury list presents. “Over the course of my tenure I have always tried to look a little bit deeper,” he said. “There will be some squads like this one where we have a number of players missing. But I always say it’s a chance for someone else. “If everyone else can do better it makes my selection more difficult going into next year. The selection will be difficult. I have to find the right 23 for next summer. “For now, some boys are in the squad with the chance to make a big impression, not just on me but the rest of my staff and the rest of the country. Let’s see how they perform in the game.” Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark and Motherwell captain Liam Kelly are vying for competitive debuts after both played 45 minutes against France to win their first caps. Clarke, who also has Rangers reserve Robby McCrorie in his squad, was not giving anything away on his stand-in choice. Speaking from Scotland’s training camp in Antalya, Turkey, he said: “The three goalkeepers have trained very well, as they always do, and between now and kick-off I will obviously have to choose one.” Read More Francis Ngannou ranked as top-10 heavyweight by WBC after impressive debut Niall Huggins excited to make Wales bow following ‘horrendous’ period Virat Kohli hits record century as India post huge score in semi-final Jon Rahm says it is ‘mainly my fault’ that he cannot catch Rory McIlroy in Dubai Man arrested over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson bailed by police Ex-Chelsea keeper Petr Cech joins Belfast Giants as ‘temporary emergency cover’
2023-11-15 23:03
Cardinals hamburger phone: Why does St. Louis have a burger phone in their dugout?
Cardinals hamburger phone: Why does St. Louis have a burger phone in their dugout?
It's a bird, it's a burger, it's a... Cardinals hamburger phone? STL players have been spotted picking up a patty prop during recent games. Here's why.What do Juno, the Derry Girls finale, and the St. Louis Cardinals have in common? A hamburger phone.The iconic meat-and-c...
2023-07-03 06:29
'I can't complain': Marc Almond's Tainted Love royalties continue to pour in
'I can't complain': Marc Almond's Tainted Love royalties continue to pour in
Marc Almond says TikTok has brought the timeless classic to a whole new audience.
2023-06-05 18:00
Spain tame England to win Women's World Cup for first time
Spain tame England to win Women's World Cup for first time
Spain won the Women's World Cup for the first time in their history with skipper Olga Carmona sweeping in the only goal for a deserved 1-0 victory...
2023-08-20 20:13
Who is Tai Emery? Here's why BKFC star wants Joe Rogan to have her 'professionally framed left implant'
Who is Tai Emery? Here's why BKFC star wants Joe Rogan to have her 'professionally framed left implant'
Tai Emery said, ' I wanted to professionally frame my left implant & send it to Joe Rogan, but they threw them out'
2023-08-12 12:30
10 Jada Pinkett Smith bombshells: From saying no to sex to addressing those gay rumors
10 Jada Pinkett Smith bombshells: From saying no to sex to addressing those gay rumors
Jada Pinkett Smith addressed the 'gay Will Smith' accusations and other shocking revelations on 'Today'
2023-10-15 21:19
'Fast X' cameos ranked: From Pete Davidson to [redacted]
'Fast X' cameos ranked: From Pete Davidson to [redacted]
If there's one thing the Fast and Furious franchise loves more than driving cars through
2023-05-19 22:02