answer text |
<p>On 1 March 2018, Ofcom announced a strengthening of their codes of practice on
better broadband speeds information. Under the new requirements, providers will have
to give customers, at the point of sale, a minimum guaranteed speed and more realistic
speed estimates at peak times. If a customer's broadband speed falls below the minimum
guaranteed speed, the provider will have a month to improve speed, after which customers
will have the right to exit their contract without paying a penalty. The right to
exit will also apply, for the first time, to landline and TV packages purchased with
the broadband services. The new requirements will apply from 1 March 2019.</p><p>
</p><p>Ofcom’s announcement follows the Advertising Standard Authority (ASA) announcement
in November last year that numerical speed claims should be based on the download
speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time and described as “average”.
The previous position was that advertised “up to” speeds should be available to at
least 10% of customers. The ASA’s guidance will take effect on 23 May 2018 after a
six-month implementation period, and will apply to residential broadband services.</p>
|
|