Ofcom, the communications regulator in the UK, has been asked to produce a standard code of practice for broadband providers to use in advertising

According to a recent report the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has been asked to produce a standard code for broadband providers to use when advertising Internet connection speeds. The request has been made by the Ofcom Consumer Panel, which represents the interest of the general public, and the panel has asked for a mandatory standard code to be introduced. Broadband connection speeds have been the subject of fierce controversy for some time, with consumers finding that depending on their location they are getting nowhere near the actual advertised speed.

In a recent report the BBC has highlighted the speeds being advertised by broadband providers in countries around the globe, and the actual speed that is receive by most consumers. In the consumers signing up to an advertised speed of 10MB were actually receiving more like 3MB. However, many consumers do not realise that the actual speed can be affected by factor such as the quality of their phone line or how far they live from a local telephone exchange.

The consumer panel has suggested that the mandatory code could include service providers explaining to consumers what sort of things can affect broadband speed when they call to take up the offer, and also advising them of what their actual maximum speed is likely to be based on their circumstances and where they live. The panel also stated that consumers should be able to terminate their contract without penalty or notice in the event that the actual speed received was much lower than the advertised speed.

One official from the consumer panel stated: “We would like to see Ofcom leading discussions with industry to produce an enforceable code of practice that would be mandatory for ISPs. This code would establish agreed processes to give the customer the best information during and after the sales process, and to give them flexibility to move freely to different packages that reflect the actual speeds with which their ISPs are able to provide them.”