Slow
broadband connections continue to aggravate Brits, with around half saying they would like their service to be faster.
According to new research from price comparison site uSwitch, almost four in ten (39%) households are now signed up to an 8Mb line, yet only 3% are actually getting those speeds.
In fact, the average speed they actually get is just 4.2Mb, almost half what they are paying for.
The uSwitch findings echo those of Ofcom's Broadband Speeds 2008 report, which found that one in five customers on 8Mb packages is actually receiving speeds of less than 2Mb.
And it actually gets worse for customers, with a number of broadband providers enforcing a restriction on download speeds during peak times, further hampering speeds.
Large areas still in the dark ages
Around 15 million households are now connected to
broadband, spending a collective £2.6 billion a year for their service.
Yet, despite this, 15% of the UK is technically unable to access speeds of more than 2Mb,says Jason Glynn at uSwitch.com.
"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,” says Glynn. “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.”
Some providers are boosting speeds
Thankfully, some providers are putting plans in place for much faster
broadband packages.
Virgin Media is upgrading its network to offer a super-fast 50Mb broadband service, although it will only be available to half of the population.
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% of its network by 2012, says Glynn.
“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.”
"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.
