Ofcom speed test results: the kick up the backside the broadband industry needed

Mon 27 Jul 2009 3 Comments

Chris Marling on BBC Radio 5 Live

Radio 5 Live logo

Listen to Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling discuss the new Ofcom speed test results on the Simon Mayo show on Radio 5 Live.

So Ofcom has finally decided to release some of the results from its speed tests taken way back in April: we reckon better late than never and have to say we were cynical enough to think Ofcom wouldn't release any data at all, so kudos to them for getting something out of the door.

If you want to read the full industry reaction, head over to our news story on Ofcom's speed test results.

From our perspective, we've consistently said the industry needs to more honest about speeds and hopefully this will provide the kick in the backside that will finally make them act - even if Ofcom has to make it. Broadband is a fantastic product that simply doesn't need to be over sold - this can only be of detriment to the industry.

We're also surprised at the description of these results as 'real', when many who take our speed test will probably think differently. This comes down to education, and is something the broadband service providers still aren't taking seriously. There are so many factors that can slow down the internet from the 'up to' speed advertised: it starts with traffic shaping from your provider, before your distance from the exchange takes some speed off - then it is the turn of your internal house wiring, your Wi-Fi and what else might be going on deep inside your computer. 

So what do you think? Let us know with a comment below. We'll keep updating our news story with all the latest industry reaction too.

Like this? Please share it!

Like Broadband Genie?




Comments

  • neutral

    by Paul Stanbra at 16:15 on 11 Aug 2009Report abuse

    We're an IT Support company, SysFix.co.uk and we deal with quite a lot of households and businesses on a regular basis that complain of slow download speeds and expect us to make miracles happen. Of course - the computer has a small part to play and more often than not, overloaded antivirus packages play a part in the speed decrease, as well as system memory and processing power. To make things worse - 8 out of 10 computers often have some form of malware or spyware, again taking a chunk of the available bandwidth on the connection.

    Broadband suppliers should provide REAL figures so that end consumers understand their choices. Traffic shaping is just one part of the problem and a significant one at that. For those who don't understand what traffic shaping is, a broadband supplier only has a set amount of bandwidth - "how much information can pass through a particular connection". This is shared out amongst its customers... Traffic shaping is the priority given to certain protocols or methods of internet access so people downloading torrents/music or videos may be given a lower priority over those simply reading webpages... This "shaping" means those requesting webpages often receive content much quicker than those downloading videos, for example. Whilst the physical connection may be "up to 2mb" - the actual download speed for downloading a video may be only 1mb - but unfortunately only the ISP controls this.

  • happy

    by Eric at 12:08 on 26 Sep 2009Report abuse

    Currently I am using 2Mb service from my ISP but I never get that much speed. Every time they say that a problem with your side exists.

  • neutral

    by nicholas wilfred hay at 16:10 on 17 Nov 2009 | registered | 6 postsReport abuse

    take no notice of what isp say, they are all liars. up to 8mbs is a copout, they know they cannot provide this speed. i myself ended up getting only 1mbs. bt wanted to charge me 200 pounds for breaking my contract, but i told them i would take them to court, in the end they dropped the contract charges.we must all as paying customers,fight our corner, they are ripping us off, and getting away with it.

Add your comment now

Post a reply to this thread

 

 

Please describe your emotions in making this comment:


Powered by reCAPTCHA

Unless you are a verified user, comments will be moderated before they appear. Comments submitted entirely in capital letters, containing advertising or excessive swearing will be rejected; please try to be polite. The best comments are relevant, factual and balanced; think about all aspects of the package, such as speed, connection quality and customer service. We reserve the right to edit comments.