Ofcom Investigates Broadband Speeds

UK government watchdog Ofcom is questioning big ISPs about the difference in real and advertised broadband connection speeds and is putting forward proposals for the future.

If you live in Britain, you might well find a big disconnect between the broadband speed your ISP claims you can reach and the actual achievable speed.   Now the government is asking the biggest providers just why that’s the case. Ofcom, the government watchdog that regulates all things relating to telecom, is getting executives from the six biggest ISPs in front of its Consumer Panel to find out why the information has been so misleading and to come up with proposals on the way companies advertise and sell broadband services.   One of the biggest bones of contention is that ISPS claim subscribers can receive connect speeds of “up to” so many mbps, while most find their speeds are much less. In a letter to the heads of the providers being questioned, Panel chairperson Colette Bowe wrote,   “…we believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information. 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.”   The Panel is also making suggestions to ISPs regarding the future. It suggests that companies give potential customers better information as to what their true connection speeds from home would be, rather than the vague “up to.” Moreover, it suggests companies extend their cooling-off periods, so users can fully test connection speeds before committing to a contract.   Finally Ofcom is proposing that customers should be able to end their contracts without any penalty if their connection speed and quality proves to be well below that advertised and can’t be technically fixed.