Are you missing out on broadband speed?  More than half of British broadband users are actually getting less than half the speed which was promised by the broadband provider. 

When you look for a broadband service, you will note the speed – many quote a speed of “up to 8MBP”.  The speed is one of the main factors for people choosing a service or package.  What they may not have realised is that where is says “up to 8MBP”, they are actually receiving 3.9MBP. 

The find was made by consumer watchdog Ofcom and was published in a report recently.  According to the watchdog, it is actually impossible for an internet user to receive the top speeds which are advertised – as some capacity is “reserved for technical reasons”. 

Internet users will find the speed of their service is slowest during peak times (evenings) and those with a DSL cable will also suffer slower speeds than those with cable broadband. 

Those who live far away from the telephone exchange will get far lower speeds than the level advertised.

But the Advertising Standards Agency, which monitors claims of false advertising, is satisfied that because where advertisers show an “up to” figure, this could not be seen as misleading.

There is some good news in this story: as the competition hots up between broadband providers, there is ever new technology being introduced which means speeds are becoming better and better.  If you are in any doubt when searching for a broadband provider, do ask them what the actual speed is likely to be in your home.