The Government have responded the the crystalclear petition on broadband speeds.  ”We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to instruct Ofcom to force ISPs to advertise a typical rate for broadband subscriptions, not just a theoretical ‘maximum’ rate.”

Response:
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the advertising industry body responsible for regulating the way in which Internet Service Providers (ISPs) advertise their products. The ASA have ruled that ISPs can advertise theoretical maximum speeds but stipulated that such advertisements must be accompanied by a caveats indicating that they are ‘up to’ speeds.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom), the independent regulator for the UK communications industry, is aware of concern about advertised headline broadband speeds against actual speeds delivered. Ofcom has expressed concern to the ASA, and is in discussion with industry and consumer organisations to look into the other options that might be available to provide greater clarity for consumers and reduce the possibility of them being misled.

Ofcom’s work in the area will include new research on comparing quality across ISPs, which will add to existing sources such as recent Which? research. Ofcom will consider a range of possible measures, including different ways to improve the information available to consumers at point of sale and in advance of purchase decisions.

Look forward to Ofcom’s research. As mentioned in Russ’s last post, Ofcom are one of the reasons we are in this situation to begin with. More concerned with how things looked for statistical purposes, rather than what was actually being offered.