Hey guys, just to let you know BBC News today (19 December, 2007) has published the calling that a watchpanel in the UK called Ofcom Consumer Panel had asked the Broadband Carrier in the UK to do something about the “Up to…” thingy that they promise their consumer. You know what the U.K. people are promised speed of “Up to … 8 megabits per second” and they more likely get only a third of that!

By simple computation, those poor Brits are only getting 2.67 megabits per second, w/c is actually 14 times greater than what our “subject” offers! And ask yourself… “Am I getting a third of 384 kbps?” You could test your speed with this link broadbandtest. Post your result as comments, if you don’t mind.

Soo, what is it that the Ofcom Consumer Panel want? Below is the full text.

“An open letter on broadband speeds to the chief executives of the UK’s leading Internet Service Providers

James Murdoch, Chief Executive, BSkyB

Ben Verwaayen, Chief Executive, BT Group

Charles Dunstone, Chief Executive, Carphone Warehouse

Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive, Orange UK

Mary Turner, Chief Executive, Tiscali UK

Neil Berkett, Acting Chief Executive, Virgin Media

9 October 2007

As you of course will be aware, there is widespread concern being expressed at the moment about the difference between the “up to” speeds advertised in your broadband packages, and the actual speeds experienced by many subscribers.

As this is an issue of such fundamental importance to consumers here in the UK, I am writing, as Chairman of the Ofcom Consumer Panel, to seek your views about how this problem might be addressed. The Consumer Panel is an independent body that advises Ofcom on the consumer interest in the communications market.

At the most basic level, it seems to us that in any transaction, people need to be able to see:

• What they are buying

• What influences the performance of the product or service they buy

• How to do something about it if, in the event, the product or service doesn’t live up to expectations.

Against these simple tests, we believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information.

We are of course aware of the technical reasons for the “up to” terminology that you use in particular in your advertising and marketing literature.

I would however like to have your views about how these technical issues might be better addressed in terms of giving clearer information to potential customers.

Some suggestions that we would welcome your view on are these:

1. Advice to potential customers at the point of sale about the speed likely to be available on their specific line (plus an explanation that this will also be impacted by the contention rate).

2. Extend the cooling off-period within your contractual terms to a sufficient length so that the customer can actually experience the speed and quality of the connection before becoming contractually committed.

3. Enable customers who sign up to a 12 or 18 month contract and who experience speeds and quality well below the advertised speeds, and whose problems persist rather than be resolved by a technical solution, to exit from the contract early and without penalty.

I would very much like to hear your views on this problem in general; and your response to the three specific points made above.

I would be very happy to meet with you if this is the most convenient way to move this forward.

I am copying this letter to Ed Richards at Ofcom and Chris Graham at the ASA.

(signed)
COLETTE BOWE

Chairman, Ofcom Consumer Panel” – (I ask forgiveness if I’m doing something wrong in publishing this text)

What do you say? I hope that somebody from the Senate, the Congress, the NTC, the consumer’s advocates or whomever with a bit of influence notice this.

Salamat and Merry Christmas

Othello

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