UK broadband speed claims are baloney

UK BROADBAND USERS who think they're getting 8Mbps download speeds are lucky if they get 2.7 Meg, says a consumer organisation. Which? polled 300 users promised 8Mbps by their ISPs, but in some cases the lines struggled to hit 0.09 Meg.

The Advertising Standards Authority reckons it's OK for ISPs to claim they're offering an 8 Meg service provided the words 'up to' are included in the ads. Which? reckons this is a load of old baloney and is calling for Trading Standards and OFCOM to investigate ISP's speed claims.

Which? Online Editor Malcolm Coles says: "It's shocking that Internet service providers can advertise ever-increasing speeds that seem to bear little resemblance to what most people can achieve in reality."

The magazine also reports that only 30 percent of users are 'very satisfied' with their ISP's service, support and speed. Trying the ADSL speed test used by the magazine showed me I was getting 6.2 Meg download speeds out here in the middle of nowhere, so I'm feeling a bit smug. µ

L'Inq
Which? report