How broadband delays cause 'Wi-Fi rage' - and could ruin your Black Friday deals

How broadband delays cause 'Wi-Fi rage' - and could ruin your Black Friday deals With millions hunting online bargains, experts warn slow speeds could cost shoppers money as patience runs out in seconds. It takes only 12 seconds to trigger 'Wi-Fi rage' when a webpage stubbornly refuses to load, according to new research. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed they have just eight seconds of patience before frantically hitting refresh in a bid to get things moving. On average, however, tempers begin to fray by the fourth attempt. Overall, two-thirds of adults have fallen victim to 'Wi-Fi rage', with broadband speed and connectivity issues becoming a persistent source of frustration for many. Among those affected, 34% said they encounter it several times a week. The biggest culprits include freezing video calls (39%), failed payments (29%) and crucial TV moments buffering (29%). Many people lose their cool when forced to use their smartphone as a hotspot due to broadband problems (16%), while the same number see red when they get booted out of an online game. Bedrooms proved to be the worst signal blackspot in the home (35%), while 11% struggle to maintain a connection while scrolling in the bathroom. The research was commissioned by Community Fibre to mark the launch of its Black Friday sale, which will see new customers double their broadband speeds for the same cost. Peter Rampling, a spokesperson for the London-based broadband provider, said: "These findings underline just how fundamental reliable broadband has become to everyday life and how frustrating it can be when your Wi-Fi doesn't deliver. "People now depend on their connection for everything from working and making payments to entertainment and staying in touch, so interruptions can have a significant impact. "For London households, having fast, consistent connectivity throughout the home is no longer simply a nice-to-have. It's an essential part of how we live, work and relax." With Black Friday just around the corner, 48% of people believe that dependable Wi-Fi is crucial to bagging the best deals, helping them steer clear of checkout issues (59%) and keep stress levels down while shopping (41%). The hunt for bargains has also seen 21% take a break from work specifically to buy an item, while 19% have set alarms for the early hours of the morning to make sure they don't miss out. With 37% planning to make a purchase during Black Friday or Cyber Monday this year, 57% will be scouring the sales for Christmas presents, while 29% hope to secure household essentials. And a reliable connection is more important than ever, with 85% claiming Wi-Fi has become a necessity rather than a luxury, according to the stats by OnePoll. Peter Rampling, from Community Fibre, added: "With demand on home broadband continuing to grow, households need a connection that can keep pace. "Our Black Friday offer is an opportunity for Londoners to get an even faster connection that will deliver around the clock. "And with support to help with any termination fees from your previous provider, now is a great time to switch."