Tuesday 27 July 2010

SamKnows Now Knows What We Already Knew

It has been widely reported today that Ofcom have released the results of tests conducted by SamKnows into the discrepancy between the marketing led "up to" figures by which our broadband is sold and the actual throughput that is delivered.

One such article: http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=194932&site=lr_cable&f_src=lrdailynewsletter

Congratulations to SamKnows for producing the empirical evidence to highlight a problem that many of us have known has existed for some time.

Now, Ofcom... you've highlighted the issue... what do you intend to do about it? Your remit as regulator of this industry is to ensure that we, the consumer, are not misled by false advertising.

Allow me to suggest that you outlaw the use of the words "up to" and force ISPs to publish details of their own line tests and contention ratios so we can make a more informed decision. While you are at it please also work with BDUK on their USO definition and make sure that both the phrases "up to" and "a line capable of" are removed from their parlance.

One final note to Virgin Media, well done! You are at least closer to your "up to" rates than those copper-based ISPs! Sadly I just don't have the choice.