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[kitz]

Last month OFCOM launched the new voluntary code of practice to ensure that customers got a  more accurate estimation about what speeds they could likely achieve.

Regular followers of adsl sites and information should be well aware that distance from the exchange can have a huge impact on the speed that you are likely to expect - and also aware that there is often things that you can do yourself to improve your speeds - after all thats what sites like kitz.co.uk tries to do.

OFCOM has today released a whole new series of guides and information which can be viewed Broadband code

08|01|2009  Broadband speeds code
08|01|2009  Ofcom reveals UK's average broadband speed 
08|01|2009  UK’s most comprehensive consumer research lifts the lid on broadband speeds

Whilst it is good that ISPs are now making anticipated speeds more transparent, it should be bourne in mind that these estimates are often based on the BTw database which can on occasions be wrong, and is often conservative.

One thing that is interesting is the video states
"An accurate estimation of the maximum sped that your telephone line can support" and what some of us have said is also very important
Clear fair usage policies and a warning if you breach them
The above point is something that not all ISPs have adhered to in the past and it will be interesting to see how this affects those ISPs that advertise 'unlimited'.

IMHO ofom still need to work upon those ISPs that give particularly bad performance during peak time periods.

[kitz]

Commenting on the above report

Felix Geyr, Managing Director of Be Broadband, one of the ISPs included in the research that led to the findings of the report:


"The Ofcom report is a step in the right direction for the broadband industry to cut through customer's confusion and improve trust in their services. Ofcom's broadband speeds code of practice, which Be Broadband signed up to when it was first announced, requires ISPs to better explain to new customers what speeds they are likely to obtain in practice, and also to tell them what steps they can take to improve their broadband performance. Be continues to strive to offer transparency and fair practises to our members, with a speed estimator on the website since August and members having the right to move between packages at no cost."


"We are also been keen to help develop the policy framework to facilitate the development of next-generation access networks to deliver 'super-fast' broadband, as shown by the recent success of our line bonding trial. We look forward to the publication of the full findings of the report later this year and will continue to work with Ofcom to ensure consumers get a clear idea of Be's performance and enable them to choose the best broadband deal."