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Some of the biggest Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) have committed to
Ofcom's latest code of practice, as
it relates to the broadband speeds
advertised by them.
The need for speed
According to Silicon.com, many
broadband users receive a lower
speed than is promised by their ISP.
For example, the typical speed
received is 6.8Mbps - an 8.2 drop on
the speed generally promised by
ISPs, 15Mbps.
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However it is hoped that this gap
will shrink thanks to Ofcom's latest
code of practice, which will see
advertisements now displaying the
typical broadband speed consumers
will get - not just the 'up to'
figure usually cited.
Furthermore, Ofcom has suggested 'up
to' speed be representative of the
true maximum speed consumers could
expect.
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"We remain concerned that people paying for fast broadband
are still being misled."
Ed Richards,
Executive director of broadband, Virgin Media
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Jumping on the broadband wagon?
Already Virgin Media, Sky, O2 and BT
Broadband have all signed up to the
code. Many more are expected to
follow suit later this year.
Ofcom decided to take action
after recent research discovered the
worrying figures regarding speed,
its chief executive, Ed Richards,
revealed.
This move has been
welcomed by many working in the
industry, as well as consumer
rights' specialists. The executive
director of broadband at Virgin
Media, Jon James, was one person who
spoke positively of Ofcom's
decision.
He told BBC.co.uk:
"The gulf between what's advertised
and what speeds customers get
continues to grow. We remain
concerned that people paying for
fast broadband are still being
misled and believe it is absolutely
essential that consumers have all
the information they need to make an
informed choice."
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