Action on broadband speeds

The Ofcom Consumer Panel is today looking for action on the issue of broadband speeds.
As this blog reported earlier in the week, advertised “up to” speeds are often much quicker than the actual connection speeds which many householders end up with.
It is calling for a mandatory code of practice to make internet firms provide clearer information and says customers should have the right to switch to a different deal or opt out of their contracts penalty-free if their actual broadband speed is significantly lower than than advertised.
Ofcom Consumer Panel chair Colette Bowe has written to communications regulator Ofcom calling for a mandatory code of practice.
“This code would establish agreed processes to give the customer the best information during and after the sales process, and to give them flexibility to move freely to different packages that reflect the actual speeds with which their ISPs are able to provide them,” she said.
The Consumer Panel also wants the advertising of broadband speeds to be tightened up.
And about time too. In what other household purchase would we accept something far less than that advertised at the time of purchase? How about opening a half a dozen eggs and finding just two lurking there? It’s only because we’re dealing with something technical and relatively difficult to assess that this situation has been able to continue for so long.
You can test the speed of your broadband connection using the simple test on the page here.