Broadband ISPs' performance laid bare

Stuart Corner
Monday, 16 June 2008 05:27

Opinion and Analysis

Back in 2004 ACCC chairman, Graeme Samuel, flagged action by the ACCC against broadband service providers making unrealistic claims for the download speed of their services. He wrote to the Internet Industry Association asking that it make clear to its members the ACCC's concerns about broadband advertising and reminding them of their obligations under the Trade Practices Act. And he warned that: "Those who fail to take note of this warning will find themselves the target of enforcement action by the ACCC."

However, the ACC admitted it could not require ISPs to provide information on other parameters affecting the user experience. Publication of comparative performance statistics would add an interesting new dimension to the market. As Ernie Newman, head of the New Zealand Telecommunication Users Assocation Commented: "Broadband is an exceptionally difficult product for customers to assess what they are actually getting compared to other potential suppliers. These regular reports will do a great deal for consumer awareness and help considerably in the selection of a broadband service."

TUANZ hopes that every service provider will take the figures seriously, recognise that customers are now better informed and more demanding than ever before, and actively work to improve its relative position.