The Daily Mail reports today:

‘Ninety-six per cent of internet users with ultra high-speed broadband packages are not getting what they pay for, according to a study.

Experts today called for the telecoms regulator Ofcom to investigate.

Researchers analysed the broadband speed received by 4,000 internet users signed up to Britain’s six biggest providers: BT, Virgin Media, Carphone Warehouse, Tiscali, Orange and Sky.

Of those who had paid for the fastest speed of 16 megabits per second (Mbps), only four per cent actually received it.

Only 15 per cent of users of the 8Mbps service, regarded as standard, received what was advertised.’

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Almost as slow as the broadband is Ofcom’s reaction to this clear consumer detriment. As we’ve said before, Ofcom were previously part of the problem, presenting false data about broadband speeds in the UK as if anyone believed the rosy scenario it was painting. We keep hearing Ofcom may have turned a corner in this area, but the regulator needs to do more and to do it with greater alacrity.