Ofcom wants ISPs to deliver on promised speeds

Internet users will get more rights on connection speeds as Ofcom pushes for tougher rules on how ISPs advertise broadband services.

Under the proposals, consumers will be able to exit contracts penalty-free if speeds were to fall below a guaranteed minimum.

According to telecoms watchdog Ofcom, there is a mismatch between the advertised speeds and the speeds customers receive.

However, according to experts, speeds are affected by different factors that are not strictly a measure of connection to a device.

A public consultation which is underway currently is being held till 10 November.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said, "Many people seek our help each year because their slow and intermittent broadband service falls short of what their contract promised, BBC reported.

"For most people, a reliable broadband connection is a necessity, so when they don't get what they've paid for they should always have a quick and easy way out of their contract."

She said, "These changes are an important step in giving consumers more power to hold their broadband provider to account for poor service."

Under Ofcom's existing broadband code of practice  ISPs are required to provide consumers with an estimate of the internet speed they can expect from their service.

According to Ofcom, providers are selling services on the basis of maximum speeds possible – even though users rarely experience these in reality.

Instead of misleading customers with these theoretical speeds, companies would need to declare just how slow the internet is likely to become during 'peak' times.

According to commentators the directive by the telecoms watchdog is among a series of changes aimed at strengthening the hands of ordinary customers.

Firms would also need to guarantee a minimum speed the broadband will not fall below. They will also be required to spell out this information in adverts and contracts.