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Broadband campaign gathers pace
(21-09-07) - More than 1,000 signatures have already been gathered in support of the Crystal Clear Broadband campaign, fighting to get a fairer deal for consumers.
The campaign was officially launched earlier this week after more than 180,000 speed tests from the BroadbandChoices Speed Tester revealed that 62 per cent of broadband users are achieving less than 50 per cent of their advertised speed and a petition was set up on the 10 Downing Street website.
The BroadbandChoices campaign, in partnership with Computeractive magazine and web advice portal Thinkbroadband.com aims to challenge the communications regulator Ofcom and the broadband industry to improve clarity in broadband contracts for UK internet users.
The campaign has three aims:
To lobby Ofcom to oblige ISPs to provide clear information about the actual speed customers are likely to receive in the form of a “typical rate”, much like that published by credit card and loan providers.
To ensure that ISPs are required to provide this information clearly before the consumer commits to the contract.
To encourage Ofcom to provide an independent speed testing service for consumers, so they can compare advertised maximum rates against actual speed.
Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “ISPs need to be clear about the sort of speed each line can support - before customers sign up. ISPs have the tools to give much better estimates for consumers but refuse to because the maximum number is a better sales pull.
“We also think that a fairer way to promote broadband deals would be to advertise a ‘typical speed’ instead of the maximum rate which is rarely achievable.”
A Computeractive reader survey showed a high level of concern about the issue, with 95 per cent of respondents calling on the Government to ensure that ISPs are clear about the actual speeds consumers can expect to receive. A further 53 per cent of respondents didn’t know that ISPs aren’t contractually obliged to provide a minimum service rate.
Terry Hall of Devon, a Computeractive reader, said: “In a way it falls on Ofcom to regulate these services but one must ask the question if they have the teeth and tenacity to actually do this. Internet service providers should also stand up to their word and make it clear what speed customers will get without putting all the legalities in the small print to make their package look more attractive.”
As well as supporting the campaign by using our Speed Tester, broadband customers unhappy with their download speeds should sign the parliamentary petition calling on the Prime Minister to instruct Ofcom to force ISPs to advertise a typical rate for broadband subscriptions, not just a theoretical ‘maximum’ rate (see useful links).
Download our Speed Tester and become part of our campaign.
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