Britain is leading the way in the uptake of new digital television services, the telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced.

According to the watchdogs new international communications market report, such services enable consumers to access a greater choice of stations with clearer pictures and more viewing options than many of their foreign counterparts. Indeed, of the larger countries surveyed, Britain was found to be ahead of both the United States and France, with 86 per cent of people in the UK found to have a digital TV as their main set in their home.

So too, Britons are growing increasingly keen on high-definition (HD) services, which have ballooned in popularity over the course of the year. More than nine million people were said to use HD across the seven countries surveyed in Ofcoms study.

For those who are looking to ramp up their home entertainment systems, taking out a personal loan may be an effective way to cover costs. With a cheap loan, consumers could find they can get their hands on the latest technology quickly while leaving themselves with an affordable monthly repayment to make.

However, moneysupermarket has urged gadget lovers that they could be putting their finances in rewind by failing to do their research before signing up to telecoms services. The group explained that while some Britons are already switched on to the cost benefits of bundled broadband, TV and telephone services, others may still be wasting as much as 40 pounds a month by sticking to standalone contracts.

In a press statement, the group declared: “Consumers can get real value from their provider and gets some huge discounts and with providers fighting for new customers and dropping their prices, customers can easily swap on to a better deal. The Ofcom report shows that internet penetration is starting to approach PC ownership, which is good news for consumers as prices could fall further. However, only 60 per cent have broadband leaving millions of people disconnected. There are some really cheap options out there for consumers and if they already have a TV subscription service they can get online for just a few pounds more.”

Meanwhile, research from moneysupermarket has shown that as many as 70 per cent of UK residents are yet to switch over bundled services, which could take considerable strain off their finances during this difficult period. This in turn could allow them to meet other areas of monetary commitment such as mortgages or personal loan repayments more easily.

Concluding, the price comparison site called on Ofcom to call to account broadband providers who are offering customers poor speeds, but also educate customers on the kinds of speeds they should be looking to receive.

For those who are looking to buy a new computer or home entertainment system, taking out a personal loan could allow them to meet the costs quickly. Meanwhile, Legal & General has warned that taking out possessions cover for such gadgets may be particularly important for students. Research from the firm showed that this group are more than twice as likely to have goods stolen than other occupational groups.

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