CCP wants changes in advertised broadband speeds

Consumer watchdog, the Communications Consumer Panel, has called upon Ed Vaizey, the Culture Minister, to look at the way in which Internet Service Providers advertise their broadband speeds.

Heated debate has recently arisen with regards to the way in which many Internet Service Providers advertise their broadband speeds, with many – including media giant Virgin Media – claiming that the up to speeds that many ISPs use to advertise their broadband services are misleading.

One consumer watchdog has now called for changes to be made in the way that ISPs advertise their broadband speeds. The Communications Consumer Panel has called upon the Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey, to make changes to the way in which broadband speeds are advertised by ISPs to ensure that they are not misleading.

Anne Bradley from the consumer watchdog said: “Recent Ofcom research shows that the difference between advertised and promised speeds and actual speeds is actually growing. We do not think this is acceptable. Ofcom has introduced a new voluntary code of practice which commits ISPs to give consumers more accurate information on the speeds they should expect on their line and which allows consumers, in certain circumstances, to leave their provider if they get a lower speeds than they were led to expect.”

The panel told Vaizey that if consumers do not get the speeds they expected they should be given some sort of concession, such as a discount or the right to move to another provider within the contract period without penalty. Bradley also stated: “We believe ISPs should change their advertising practices in order to avoid the danger of misleading consumers.”