Average broadband speeds increase

The UK's most comprehensive broadband speeds research reveals that the UK's average actual fixed-line residential broadband speed has increased by over 25 per cent over the past year from 4.1Mbit/s to 5.2Mbit/s as internet service providers ("ISPs") increasingly move to offer higher speed broadband packages.

Ofcom's broadband speeds research, conducted in partnership with broadband monitoring specialists SamKnows, shows that nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of UK fixed-line residential broadband connections had a headline or advertised speed of above ‘up to' 10Mbit/s in May 2010, compared to just 8 per cent in April 2009.

However, the move to faster headline speeds has led to a growing gap between the actual speeds delivered and the speeds that some ISPs use to advertise their services.  Differences between headline and actual speeds are often caused by broadband being delivered over copper lines which were originally designed for phone calls; hence speeds slow down over long and poor quality lines, and because of electrical interference.

In April 2009, average actual (or download) speeds were 4.1Mbit/s, 58 per cent of average advertised ‘up to' speeds (7.1Mbit/s).  In May 2010, average download speeds were 5.2Mbit/s, 45 per cent of average advertised ‘up to' speeds (11.5Mbit/s).

ISP performance

The research found that cable broadband services delivered significantly faster actual (or download) speeds than comparable DSL services:

Virgin Media's ‘up to' 10Mbit/s and ‘up to' 20Mbit/s cable services delivered average download speeds around twice as fast as DSL packages with the same or similar headline speed.

Virgin Media's ‘up to' 50Mbit/s cable service was the fastest service tested, delivering average download speeds of around 36Mbit/s with single thread tests and around 46Mbit/s with multi-thread tests conducted between 4 and 6am.  A single thread test involves downloading a single file, while a multi-thread test involves conducting three file downloads simultaneously, which is more typical of the way heavy internet users consume broadband.

The impact of the length and quality of a consumer's telephone line on DSL services led to wide variability in speeds received:

Of panellists on ‘up to' 20/24Mbit/s DSL services, almost two thirds (65 per cent) had an average download speed of 8Mbit/s or lower, while only 2 per cent received average download speeds of more than 14Mbit/s.  No DSL panellists on ‘up to' 20/24Mbit/s received average download speeds of more than 18Mbit/s.

Of panellists  on ‘up to' 20Mbit/s cable services, 80 per cent received average download speeds of more than 14Mbit/s and 4 per cent received average download speeds of 8Mbit/s or below, with 19 per cent receiving average download speeds of more than 18Mbit/s.

Actual speeds also slowed down in busy periods as heavier internet traffic leads to congestion on ISPs' networks:

The cable broadband service on average delivered higher download speeds at all times of the day than comparable DSL services, however it showed a greater slowdown during peak periods than some DSL providers.

Strengthening the Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds

Ofcom has strengthened the Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds ("the Code") which it introduced in 2008. ISPs who sign up to the revised Code commit to give consumers a more accurate and consistent estimate of the maximum speed likely to be achievable on their line.  ISPs also commit to help consumers improve their speeds and give consumers the option to leave their contracts early without penalty (within three months of signing up to the service) if they receive a maximum line speed that is significantly below the estimate they are given at point of sale and the ISP is unable to resolve the problem.

Advertising broadband speeds

Some ISPs have in the past year moved away from advertising their services on the basis of ‘up to' headline speeds but others continue to do so.  Ofcom has discussed this issue with the Advertising Standards Authority ("ASA") and the Committee on Advertising Practice ("CAP") who are currently undertaking a review in this area.

Ofcom has made two suggestions to the ASA and CAP.  We have recommended that:

Speeds should only be advertised if at least some consumers are actually able to achieve the advertised speeds.

Those who advertise according to "up to" speeds, should also include a "typical speed range" (or TSR) based on a standard currency to be developed, similar to those in other industries (for example, APR in financial services, and MPG in motoring).

Advice for consumers on broadband speeds and services

Many consumers could take some relatively simple steps to improve their broadband performance. Ofcom provides advice for consumers on the factors to take into account when choosing a broadband provider and how to improve broadband speeds at home.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive said: "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."

"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."