Ofcom – The Difference between Theoretical and Real Life Broadband Speeds

  

On February Ofcom asked the public to help it test the actual broadband speeds so it may be compared to the ISP "up-to" claims (see "Ofcom (UK):Help Us Test Broadband Speed Claims" - here).

Now we get the outcome (updated to May 2010) - See "Research shows increase in average broadband speeds" - here - and the full report - "UK broadband speeds, May 2010" - here.

Some interesting conclusions (the research was done in partnership with SamKnows, who is also supporting the FCC in a similar test - here):

• UK’s average actual fixed-line residential broadband speed has increased by over 25% over the past year.
    
• The move to faster headline speeds has led to a growing gap between the actual speeds delivered and the speeds that some ISPs use to advertise their service
   
• In April 2009, average actual (or download) speeds were 4.1Mbit/s, 58% of average advertised ‘up to’ speeds (7.1Mbit/s). In May 2010, average download speeds were 5.2Mbit/s, 45% of average advertised ‘up to’ speeds (11.5Mbit/s).
   
• The research found that cable broadband services delivered significantly faster actual (or download) speeds than comparable services provided via a telephone line

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive said:

‘. Actual speeds are often much lower than many of the advertised speeds which makes it essential that consumers are given information which is as accurate as possible at the point of sale; this is what the new Code is designed to deliver.’