19 December 2007
UK broadband providers have received a strong warning from the Ofcom Consumer Panel over their connections failing to match advertised speeds.
The Panel has now submitted a formal request to the broadband regulator to implement a compulsory code on download speeds for providers to adhere to.
This follows meetings between the panel and five leading broadband firms on the issue earlier this year.
Panel chair Colette Bowe said: "This code would establish agreed processes to give the customer the best information during and after the sales process."
The connection speeds debate centres on providers' use of "up to" advertising - which sees services commonly advertised as being "up to 8Mb per second", when average speeds come closer to 2Mb.
Interference on phone lines which slow broadband services, which could include weather and lighting conditions and the power use of other home appliances, must be taken into account in promotional material, the Panel said.
It also called on the Advertising Standards Authority to crack down on misleading broadband advertising.
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