Brits being sold short on actual broadband speeds

Under half of UK broadband consumers actually receive the speeds advertised in the package they are paying for, new research reveals.

According to the latest speed tests by website Broadband Genie, the average download speed that meets the advertised rate marketed by providers was just 45.8 per cent.

Virgin Media (58.8 per cent average) and TalkTalk (52.6 per cent) scored highly on actualised speeds, but this was largely because customers on one Mbps or two Mbps packages were actually receiving a stronger rate without knowing it.

Chris Marling, editor of Broadband Genie, said the "underlying truths are there for all to see" with these results, regardless of what "spin" ISPs may place on this.

He pointed out that broadband technology is "improving all the time", meaning the internet landscape has changed significantly compared to ten years ago.

"But the speed of change does not excuse ISPs from the duty they have to their customers," Mr Marling said.

"Consumers deserve a more transparent, honest and informative broadband marketplace so they can make correct, informed decisions."

Telecoms regulator Ofcom recently revealed that the number of residential and small business broadband connections in the UK has now passed 17.3 million.