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Our Blogs Cornered! Come on Aussies - let's get clarity on broadband
Our Blogs Cornered! Come on Aussies - let's get clarity on broadband | Come on Aussies - let's get clarity on broadband |
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| by Stuart Corner | |
| Saturday, 29 September 2007 | |
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The campaign is lobbying Government to instruct Ofcom (the equivalent body to the Australian Communications and Media Authority) to force ISPs to advertise a typical rate for broadband subscriptions, not just a theoretical 'maximum' rate. (However in Australia the ACCC has responsibility for how broadband services are advertised). Derek Wyatt, chairman of the UK's All Party Internet Group, has backed the movement saying "I hope comes to the attention of Ofcom and that it conducts a review." One Conservative MP, Sir George Young, said: "There's insufficient consumer understanding of what's realistic to expect in terms of day-to-day performance, as opposed to the maximum speed of a broadband line...Suppliers have a key role to play in setting realistic expectations rather than hyping the maximum as if it were the norm. And yes, I do believe Ofcom has a role to play." Plain English Campaign spokesperson Ben Beer said "We urge our supporters to sign the petition on the Downing Street website. The campaign claims that Ofcom has welcomed its goal to raise consumer awareness of the issues of speed and the technical limitations of broadband. An Ofcom spokesperson said "We are aware of the issues of speed and have been asking to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to step in when there was unfair advertising." The watchdog has not ruled out a formal investigation and is currently undergoing a consultation looking at the potential for a high speed nationwide fibre network, which will address regulation. |
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