Comment on Ofcom mobile broadband speed test results

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Ofcom this morning released speed test data suggesting the average download speed of UK mobile broadband is 1.5Mb, rising to 2.1Mb in good 3G coverage areas.

Chris Marling, editor of Broadbandgenie.co.uk, commented: “The figures from Ofcom fall broadly into line with our own research and frankly make pretty depressing reading. Firstly, they back our feeling that the UK's mobile networks are doing next to nothing to increase speeds, as they have stalled at below 2Mb for a long time now.

“It seems the networks are just waiting for the spectrum auction which will allow 4G mobile broadband networks to start rolling out. But In the Ofcom release, Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards seems to suggest this is falling back further, with previous estimates of 2012 now slipping back again to a roll-out date of 2013. This technology is already in use in the US and other countries – why are we so far behind?

“The Ofcom report does mention that 3 UK is now among the faster networks, which backs our recent Broadband Genie Road Trip results where the network showed strong improvement from last year in taking top prize. We can only hope it continues to push the limits on its 3G network and that others will then follow.”