Code of practice bolstered
However, the consumer watchdog also found UK broadband speeds have increased ‘significantly' over the past year as the average download speed in the UK has risen by over 25 percent, from 4.1Mbit/s in April 2009 to 5.2Mbit/s in May 2010.
The report warned current generation broadband is unable to deliver the faster speeds needed for many consumers to enjoy high-bandwidth services such as internet TV. It estimates around 2.75m households are incapable of receiving a minimum speed of 2 Mbit/s promised by the government as part of its universal service commitment.
As ISPs invest in superfast broadband services, Ofcom said: "it is more important than ever for consumers to have reliable and accurate information on how different broadband services perform otherwise consumers may not be able to make an informed choice about which broadband service is most suitable for them."
Consequently, Ofcom has worked with ISPs to produce a strengthened Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds to ensure consumers are given clear information about possible line speeds when they buy a package from an ISP.
The code will make sure any speed-related problems will be resolved by the ISP and if not, consumers whose internet is much slower than expected will be able to terminate the contract with the provider within three months of its start.
