Come on Aussies - let's get clarity on broadband

Stuart Corner
Saturday, 29 September 2007 07:38

Opinion and Analysis

You might have an ADSL2+ service that promise broadband at "up to 20Mbps" but what you get depends on how close you are to the exchange and how good your line is, but those caveats are usually relegated to the fine print. It's the same in the UK, but over there users are pushing ISPs to be more candid. Maybe Australia should follow their lead. In just one week since launch the 'Crystal Clear Broadband' campaign the brainchild of ComputerActive magazine, has received over 3,500 signatures on its online petition and claims to have attracted the attention of MPs and an influential partner, the Plain English Campaign.

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.