ASA brings in stricter rules over broadband advertising

The Advertising Standards Authority has recently introduced more stringent rules with regards to broadband advertising in order to promote honesty from providers when it comes to broadband speeds.

It has been reported that the advertising watchdog, the Advertising Standards Authority, has brought in more stringent rules and regulations with regards to broadband advertising. The new rules have been brought in to ensure that broadband providers are being honest about their speeds – an issue that has caused a lot of controversy over recent years.

The new rules have been brought in due to concerns from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) over whether consumers are actually getting what they pay for from broadband companies based on their advertising.

One of the main issues that have caused controversy over the years has been the way in which broadband companies advertise their speeds. Under the new rules, ISPs will only be able to use speed claims if at least ten percent of their users are getting these speeds. Previously, they were able to advertise up to speeds that the vast majority of subscribers were unable to ever achieve due to a range of issues.

The unrealistic claims that have been made by ISPs in advertisements have also received criticism from the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom. Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards stated: “We would like to see clearer information provided to consumers which more accurately reflects the likely speeds they will actually receive.”

Are you pleased about the changes to the advertising rules for ISPs?