Ofcom calls for clarity on broadband speeds

The expansion of broadband has opened up communications with services such as VoIP, but Ofcom has warned that internet service providers may not be making clear the speed of connections to their customers.

In an attempt to ensure that both business and private broadband users get an adequate service, the telecoms watchdog called for a 'try before you buy' scheme to allow customers to guage their connection speed themselves.

"People need to be able to see what they are buying, what influences the performance of the product and how to do something about it," the Ofcom Consumer Panel said in a letter to the six largest internet service providers in the UK.

A spokesman for BT told the Times that the group was "carefully considering" the suggestions from Ofcom, but added that customers could be advised on the speed of their line by contacting the telecoms firm.

Faster broadband connections may lead to greater reliability and quality of voice calls made over the internet or through an IP PBX, as well as providing more capacity to use high-bandwidth services such as video conferencing.