Skip to navigation

PCPro-Computing in the Real World Printed from www.pcpro.co.uk

Register to receive our regular email newsletter at http://www.pcpro.co.uk/registration.

The newsletter contains links to our latest PC news, product reviews, features and how-to guides, plus special offers and competitions.

Latest News

Top ISPs asked to explain fantasy broadband speeds

Posted on 10 Oct 2007 at 12:36

Ofcom's Consumer Panel has written to the UK's six leading ISPs, asking them to explain why consumers aren't getting the broadband speeds they pay for.

The Consumer Panel - which was set up to advise Ofcom on consumer policy - notes the "up to" speeds advertised by broadband providers are often different to the actual speed of the lines. And when it says "different", the panel of course means significantly slower.

Chairman of the panel, Colette Bowe, has written to the ISPs, asking them for solutions to the problem. "We believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information," the letter states. "We are of course aware of the technical reasons for the 'up to' terminology that you use. I would however like to have your views about how these technical issues might be better addressed in terms of giving clearer information to potential customers."

As well as picking on the ISPs, the Consumer Panel might well ask Ofcom itself why it continues to use the headline speeds in its own reports. Just last month, Ofcom used the fantasy headline speeds in its report on the future of broadband Britain, without once mentioning the fact that actual speeds are greatly depleted depending on the distance of the house from the local telephone exchange.

The Consumer Panel wants ISPs to consider advertising likely connection speeds, rather than theoretical maximums. It also wants ISPs to allow customers to leave their contract, without penalty, if actual speeds fall "well below" the advertised figures.

PC Pro's top five broadband stories:

1. The great broadband con

2. Watchdog slams BT over broadband repairs

3. Comment: When will Ofcom sort out broadband speeds?

4. Comment: How much worse does broadband have to get?

5. British broadband "amongst slowest in Europe"

Author: Barry Collins

Be the first to comment this article

You need to Login or Register to comment.

(optional)

advertisement

Latest Blog Posts Subscribe to our RSS Feeds
Latest Reviews Subscribe to our RSS Feeds
Latest Real World Computing

advertisement

Sponsored Links
 
SEARCH
SIGN UP

Your email:

Your password:

remember me

advertisement


Hitwise Top 10 Website 2008