BROADBAND CODE OF PRACTICE WILL MEAN CUSTOMERS "GET WHAT THEY SEE ON THE TIN"
August 20, 2010 12:00 AM
North East Fife MSP Iain Smith and MP Sir Menzies Campbell have welcomed the introduction of a Code of Practice for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) which should bring to an end the misleading claims of broadband speed by some companies in their adverts so customers "get what they see on the tin".
Following their constituency wide survey last year which concluded that the speed and quality of the broadband in North east Fife was not at the levels advertised by ISPs, Sir Menzies and Mr Smith have been making numerous representations to Ofcom and BT for an end to misleading adverts and investment in the broadband infrastructure in rural areas.
The industry regulator Ofcom has released research which shows the differences between the claims ISPs make for broadband and the speed actually being delivered. According to Ofcom in 2009, when actual speeds for broadband were 4.1Mbps the average for those services were being advertised at was 7.1Mbps. In 2010, when people are generally getting 5.2Mbps, ISPs are claiming they will support speeds of up to 11.5Mbps.
Iain Smith said:
"Our campaign has highlighted the disparity in service and speed between rural and urban areas. The creation of this Code of Practice will now mean that broadband customers will actually get the kind of service they see on the tin before they buy.
"This is a good first step but there needs to be more investment in the infrastructure and for BT to open up their network for more competition.
Commenting, Sir Menzies said:
"In my experience broadband customers understand that the speed and quality of their broadband depend upon a number of factors. But that doesn't mean that internet service providers are excused from advertising their broadband services in a way that can be very misleading.
"The new Code of Practice being introduced should mean that customers get more accurate information about the broadband service available to them when they sign up to a provider. It is good news for consumers that the largest UK ISPs have all signed up to it."
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