UK's average broadband speed up 25%

The UK's average broadband speed has increased by 25%, but customers are still rarely receiving the maximum speeds that they have paid for, Ofcom has revealed.

Following comprehensive broadband research over the past year, the media regulator found that the average speed provided by ISPs has increased to 5.2Mbps from 4.1Mbps last year.

The research, conducted in partnership with broadband monitoring specialist SamKnows, also revealed that 24% of UK fixed-line residential broadband connections now have a headline or advertised speed of above 'up to' 10Mbps, compared to just 8% in April 2009.

However, the move to faster speeds has resulted in a "growing gap" between the advertised speeds and the actual service being delivered to customers.

Ofcom found that the average actual download speed on headline 'up to' packages of 11.5Mbps was just 5.2Mbps, or 45% of the advertised 'up to' speed.

The watchdog noted that the biggest difference between headline and actual speeds was seen in broadband being delivered over copper lines designed for phone calls.

Providing broadband on poor quality lines can result in a slowing down of speeds due to electrical interference, with fibre networks generally providing superior performance.

The watchdog found that copper wire broadband and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services delivered an average speed of 3.3Mbps for headline speeds of 'up to' 8/10Mbps and just 6.5Mbps on 'up to' 20/24Mbps.

In comparison, Virgin Media's fibre network, which currently reaches around 49% of the population, delivered an average actual speed of 8.7Mbps on the advertised 'up to' 10Mbps packages. The cable operator also achieved an average of 15.7Mbps on its 20Mpbs advertised service.

Virgin Media delivered higher download speeds at all times of the day than comparable DSL services, but suffered greater slowdown during peak traffic periods.

To help protect broadband customers, Ofcom has strengthened its Voluntary Code of Practice, which binds all signatory ISPs to ensure accurate and consistent estimates of maximum service speeds.

The new code gives consumers more options to leave their contracts early without penalty if they receive a maximum line speed that is "significantly below" the rate advertised at the point of sale.

"Ofcom's research shows that average speeds have increased which is good news, but there is scope for a further step change in the quality of the UK communications infrastructure," said Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards.

"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. We are delighted that all major ISPs have signed up which is a major step forward."

Peter Vicary-Smith, chief executive of consumer publication Which?, welcomed Ofcom's new Code, but called for greater control on the advertising of broadband speeds.

"It's great that Ofcom has taken action to improve the information provided by ISPs at the point of sale, and that customers are now able to end their contract without penalty if the service they receive is significantly different to that promised," he said.

"However, some internet service providers continue to advertise ever-increasing speeds that bear little resemblance to what most people can achieve in reality. We want the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to step up to the mark and put an end to these misleading claims once and for all."

The ASA and the Committee On Advertising Practice (CAP) are currently running an investigation into the advertising of broadband speeds on an 'up to' basis.

Ofcom has asked the ASA and CAP to review whether ISPs should only be permitted to advertise broadband speeds if at least some consumers are actually able to achieve them.

The watchdog also believes that all advertising of 'up to' speeds should include a "typical speed range" in a similar way to APR rates are used in financial services.