Broadband firms grilled over speed limits
Broadband firms grilled over speed limits
(Thu, 11th October 2007)
The bosses of six major internet service providers are being quizzed about why advertised broadband speeds are not guaranteed for users.
Industry regulator Ofcom is investigating the claims advertised by a host of broadband companies after a number of complaints from customers suggested that download speeds were different to those offered.
As a result, Ofcom has written to the bosses of the six biggest broadband companies, including BT, Virgin Media and Carphone Warehouse, in order to improve standards. Ofcom's main concern is with the use of the phrase "up to" on advertised speeds.
Colette Bowe, chairman of the Ofcom consumer panel, said in the letter to broadband companies: "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."
Last month, a survey by Computeractive magazine revealed that 62 per cent of the 3,000 readers who carried out speed tests got less than half the top broadband speed advertised by their provider.
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