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<p>The 2017 Digital Strategy set out that Government would work with regulators and
industry to ensure that the advertising of broadband reflects the speeds that consumers
can expect to receive and accurately describes the technology used.</p><p> </p><p>Since
the Digital Strategy was published, the ASA has implemented new guidance, which states
that speed claims should be based on the download speeds available to at least 50%
of customers at peak time, and no longer on 'up to' speeds available to at least 10%
of customers. Ofcom has also updated its Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds. As
set out in the Answer of 10 September 2018 to Question 167873, the ASA reviewed the
use of the term ‘fibre’ to describe part-fibre and full-fibre broadband and concluded
in November 2017 that the term 'fibre' is unlikely to mislead consumers as currently
used in the advertising of part-fibre broadband services. In June, the Administrative
Court granted CityFibre permission to proceed with its Judicial Review of the ASA's
decision.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to working with regulators
and industry to ensure that consumers receive clear, concise and accurate information
in order to make informed choices about their broadband, particularly as the rollout
of new technologies like full fibre broadband increases. As part of this, we will
monitor developments in other countries, including Italy’s current trial of a traffic
light system for broadband advertising.</p>
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