ISPs pledge more clarity over broadband speeds

Thirty-two internet service providers have signed a new code of practice promising greater clarity about what broadband speeds subscribers can expect, regulator Ofcom announced today.

But there was an immediate call from the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) for the voluntary code to be extended to wireless operators offering mobile broadband.

The ISPA said it supported the code of practice, and had helped to draft it.
But it warned in a statement: "Every single broadband connection’s speed will be different. Even neighbouring houses supplied by the same provider can receive different speeds."

Line performance could be affected by factors beyond the control of ISPs, the statement said. Connections will be faster the closer they are to an exchange, but speeds can also be affected by the quality of the line to the house and the internal wiring that links in the router or PC.

ISPs who have signed up to the code cover 90 percent of UK broadband users. They have pledged to:

• Give people signing up to a service an accurate estimate of the maximum speed they can expect.
  
• Resolve technical issues to improve speed.
  
• Offer a lower-speed package where speed estimates prove inaccurate;
  
• Ensure that sales and promotion staff understand what they are selling.
  
• Provide information on usage limits and alert customers when they have breached them.
  

The Ofcom move follows a a campaign by our sister magazine ComputerActive for more clarity on broadband speeds. You can down the full code of pratice here