Consumers To Get More Info On Actual ADSL Speeds

[Shrygue]

via Gizmodo


Broadband users who have become frustrated by dodgy advertising touting line speeds of 8MB and upwards should be encouraged by recent news from Ofcom.

As we all know, these sorts of consistent speeds are the stuff of fantasy, making it all but impossible for the consumer to work out exactly how fast a connection with a specific ISP will end up being.

While it can't do anything about the marketing terminology, Ofcom is encouraging ISPs to provide clear assessments of speed estimates on their websites. It's also pushing to offer better customer service in resolving line problems and notifications of fair use limits.

Unfortunately it's a voluntary process, and Ofcom can't do anything about it if people don't get on board, but it has a range of ISPs signed up already and if consumers are aware of the scheme it'll make it easier to avoid those who refuse to chip in.

You can view a list of providers that have already signed up here.

[royvedas]

fair usage limits? These people paid for these lines. Those ISP should stop advertising bandwidth they can't deliver. I can't believe it's even legal.

It's like that in Denmark too.

With huge letters:
20mbit downstream

with small letters:
1mbit upstream

with tiny letters:
We cannot guarantee this bandwidth. Maybe you can get around 50% of what we promised at two o'clock sunday morning, if the weather is fine and the seagulls are flying low.

[mcdougall57]

8 mbit with aol and it usually avoracheives with me ? :S

[pibs]

Fair use limits?

that doesn't sound fair at all since you are on the receiving side and get whatever is handed to you and still pay their crappy prices.