Ofcom Pushing For “Free Trial” Broadband October 13, 2007

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For many of Gizmodo readers, and the population at large, advertised broadband speeds are a long way from what is delivered by the ISPs. For many, what we're are getting for our money is nothing short of a rip-off.

Now, Ofcom’s independent consumer panel has written to the UK’s leading ISPs to find out just why people are not getting what they are paying for. More importantly, it has outlined a number of changes that ISPs might like to make, including a ‘try before you buy’ broadband period and a much clearer method of telling people just how fast [or snail-like] their actual broadband will be. Colette Bowe, Chairman of the Ofcom Consumer Panel said:

“We believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information. We are of course aware of the technical reasons for the “up to” terminology that you use. I would however like to have your views about how these technical issues might be better addressed in terms of giving clearer information to potential customers. We believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information.”

This is all long overdue but, nonetheless, very welcome. Jump now to see the key suggestions being put to the ISPs.-Martin Lynch

Recommendations

· Advising customers what their likely connection speed would be to a specific line
· Extending the cooling off period so that customers can test out the connection speed before they sign a contract
· Allowing customers to exit from contracts if consumers experience speeds and quality well below the advertised speeds, and whose problems persist rather than be resolved by a technical solution, to exit from the contract early and without penalty.

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