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Broadband speed code 'will improve customer awareness of products'
Monday 15th December 2008, by Daniel King
Ofcom's new broadband speed code is unlikely to improve the quality of services but will boost product awareness among customers, it has been claimed.
According to Tom Newton of Broadband Finder, the move may prompt some internet service providers (ISPs) to change their prices or "rebrand altogether" to reflect better value for money.
"This move by Ofcom to introduce a code requiring ISPs to provide potential customers with a more realistic expectation of the service they're likely to receive, won't improve the quality of service, but it will certainly mean that customers will have a better idea of what they're getting," he said.
Broadband subscribers may be more inclined to switch services or shop around for a new service once they are made aware of the speeds they can expect to achieve with different ISPs.
The information given to consumers at point of sale will be more comprehensive under the Ofcom scheme.
Details of the top speeds achievable, according to region, will be available for prospective subscribers.
It is hoped that this will provide consumers with greater clarity about the connections they can expect from different ISPs.
Ofcom has said it will monitor the implementation of the code to ensure that ISPs are adhering to its policies.
Only five per cent of broadband customers will be signed up with firms that have not adopted the code.
An Ofcom report, which will be published early next year, reveals that around one-quarter of people did not achieve the speed they expected when they signed up for a broadband package.
Categories: Broadband, Switching, Broadband Products
