Home : Date Posted: 2008

ISP's, new service code to provide 'expected' broadband speed

Due to the research conducted by Which?, a stalwart of consumer rights, Ofcom, the telecoms regulator has stepped in to produce an ISP service code of practice.

To begin with it will be voluntary, but will come into force on the 5th of December 2008. It will require ISP's to give a valid picture of the likely broadband speed users will receive.

In 2007 Which? highlighted a huge discrepancy between the broadband speed advertised by Internet Service Providers, and the actual speed they provided.

Time and again Which? found that access packages promised a speed of 8Mbps, but on average would offer a speed in the region of 2Mbps to 3Mbps. (Megabits per second).

Ofcom are hoping their new code of conduct will provide improved clarity, and lower the likelihood of users being mislead. From tomorrow ISP's ( who volunteer to the code ) will be forced to provide,

- Maximum estimated broadband speed.

- Give details highlighting the circumstances which may effect the speed of their service.

- List a clear list of how-to's, to enable customers to improve their service speed.

- Provide the best packages suited to the needs of the customer. ( different regions)

- Explain their policy in connection to usage levels, and when this will effect service speed.

The sign-up rate to the voluntary codes of practice has been excellent, claim Ofcom, with ninety five percent of consumers covered.

Which? hope that the new code will provide more transparency, and will not give users the false hope of obtaining unlimited, no catches, super fast broadband.

The only question is whether the ISP's will honour their side of the bargain, Ofcom have stated they will be closely monitoring compliance, only time will tell.