Broadband Speed Leaves Brits In Slow Lane

AROUND half of all broadband users in the UK are unhappy with their broadband internet speed, according to research from comparison site uSwitch.com.

Even though many providers say they can offer speeds of up to 8Mb, users claim they are usually getting an average of 4.2Mb. The findings show that 6.75m users want their broadband speed to get into the fastlane.

Some 15m homes have broadband, and we spend collectively around £2.6 billion a year on these services, yet a sixth of the country is unable to access broadband services of more than 2Mb.

Two in five households have signed up to 8Mb broadband packages, yet just 3 per cent say they can achieve this speed, suggesting that the rest are overpaying for a service they cannot technically access.

In addition, some internet broadband providers are putting the brakes on download speeds in peak times, which results in an even lower speed for households than they would otherwise benefit from.

Jason Glynn, communications expert at uSwitch.com, comments: "It is six months since the voluntary Ofcom Code of Practice came into force, but consumers are still stuck in the broadband slow lane through no fault of their own. Technology has raced ahead and people are able to access services online that could previously only be dreamt of - the only thing holding broadband Britain back is speed.

"The need for speed is only going to increase as more companies develop media rich websites and the popularity for online TV continues to skyrocket, ultimately affecting everyone's service. The Government and providers need to step up a gear and set out a bold new blueprint for Britain's future. Virgin Media and BT have already made strides in this direction - the question is whether other providers will be following suit and whether all customers will be able to benefit equally, regardless of where they live.”

Three in five customers are most concerned about the reliability of their connection, but the internet connection speed itself is an important factor for 8.7m customers – even ahead of value for money.

Mr Glynn added: "What is clear is that consumers cannot assume anything about their broadband service. They cannot be certain that they are getting the speed advertised by their provider - it is down to them to check.

"When signing up to a new service, consumers should ask the provider to run a line test to check what speed they are capable of receiving. Existing broadband connections can be checked at home - we recommend using a line checker such as BT Wholesale's ADSL checker or bbc.co.uk/iplayer/diagnostics at different times of the day, as speed can also depend on the number of people sharing the network at any one time. Some, but not all providers, have also enforced restrictions to download speeds during peak times, so it is wise to shop around. If customers are not satisfied they should contact their broadband company to discuss their concerns and to ensure they are not paying for a service they cannot receive."

However, things are set to get better, as the major cable and broadband internet providers are starting to beef up their broadband offerings. Virgin Media is upgrading its network to offer a super-fast 50Mb broadband service, covering half of the population, and switching its existing 2Mb customers on to its 10Mb package, said Mr Glynn.

BT has recently announced the launch of its next generation network of ADSL2+ (up to 20 Mb), which will provide faster speeds than currently available. However it is still likely that rural areas will be slower than other parts of the country.

Mr Glynn added: “Rollout will begin with 40 per cent of its network this summer and will reach 55 per cent of its customers by 2010, at no extra cost, although customers will need to live in the right area and be prepared to sign up to another 12 or 18 month contract. BT has also begun trialling its new technology fibre to cabinet broadband, offering speeds of up to 40Mb. It has pledged to offer this service to 40 per cent of its network by 2012.

uSwitch.com's tips for getting the fastest broadband internet speed:
• Use as short a lead as possible when connecting your modem to the main telephone socket
• If possible use a LAN cable instead of wireless as this will give less interference and higher speeds
• If you prefer a wireless connection, use a router either supplied or recommended by your broadband provider
• Keep your broadband and phone cables away from power cables as this can cause interference
• Check online forums on performance for broadband routers - different modem manufacturers can offer different speeds.