UK Net speed rules start today
p2pnet news view | P2P:- As of today, UK surfers will theoretically be able to tell if their Net connections are on hyper-drive, or if they’re merely trundling along at considerably below warp speed.
We say ‘theoretically’ because it all depends on whether or not British ISPs adhere to a code of practice formulated by UK regulator Ofcom.
“Net firms covering 95% of the UK’s broadband users have signed up to the voluntary scheme which comes into force on 5 December,” says the BBC, going on:
The code was, “drawn up in response to research that suggested consumers were confused by adverts that promised broadband speeds that few consumers could achieve,” says the story.
By signing up, ISPs have agreed to provide customers with a clearer picture of likely broadband speeds at the point of sale, says Ofcom, also stating it’ll monitor ISPs over the next six months to make sure they’re sticking to the code.
Under the code, ISPs are required to:
- Give new customers an accurate estimate of the maximum speed their line can support.
- Explain how technical issues could slow speeds and give advice about how to combat these problems.
- Downgrade a customer’s deal, at no penalty, if line speeds are a lot lower than the original estimate.
The Ofcom site has a list of companies which have signed up, as well as a consumer advice guide on broadband speeds..
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BBC – Net speed rules come into force, December 4, 2008
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