Many folks sign up expecting to obtain the speeds they see advertised on the tv, many are left disappointed and wondering why they never obtain them.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7037278.stmBosses at six of the UK's top net providers are being asked to explain why consumers do not get the broadband speeds firms advertise.
We believe that broadband customers are not at the moment getting enough information," said Colette Bowe, chairwoman of the Ofcom Consumer Panel.
In the letter to the net firms, Ms Bowe recognised that there were good technical reasons for the gulf between advertised and actual speeds.
She asked the net firms to find ways to deal with the technical problems so consumers are more informed about the potential broadband speeds in their neighbourhood.
The panel has asked net firms to consider lengthening cooling off periods so customers can test connection speeds before they sign a contract.
It also wants them to think about letting customers terminate a contract early and without penalties if speeds are well below what is advertised.
I cant see anyone really losing sleep over this as it seems more like a public relations exercise to raise awareness of the current systems limitations, real investment in local fibre optic connections would drive the market strongly for at least the next ten years but who wants to pay for the upgrading seems to be the real issue.
