Ofcom says average UK broadband 3.6Mbps

Consumers getting 45% advertised speeds

9 January 2009 9:37 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Consumers only receive 45% of the advertised speeds of their broadband service, an Ofcom report has revealed.

The average speed of a broadband connection in the UK is 3.6Mbps the regulator has revealed as results of the "most sophisticated" speed test ever done have been published.

Ofcom says the average speed is still "significantly" below what's promised by ISPs.

This follows new rules from Ofcom introduced last year that saw ISPs providing consumers with accurate estimates of what speeds they could expect.

Speeds in the evening are less, as are those in rural areas, the report showed.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: "We want to see all internet service providers meet the needs of their customers by clearly explaining what speeds they should expect and by ensuring that their networks meet consumers' increasing demand for higher speed broadband", he said.

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Comments

  • It drives me mad the claims that ISPs make regarding download speeds. Does anyone actually get anything like the speed that they hope to get when signing up.
    I have been with Orange (absolutely rubbish) and now with Plusnet (acceptable service) and neither really gives a reasonable statement of what speed you will get. It is always along the lines of "upto 8meg, but speeds could be lower in your area".
    I think that the regulater should dictate that ISP state the minimum speed you will get, and then allow for claims that you might get higher speeds, not the other way round.
    Come on Ofcom, we deserve better.
    Posted by Mo, UK

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