PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT – PRESS STATEMENT
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SDLP
MLA BURNS:
WELCOMES OFCOM CODE ON BROADBAND SPEED
SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns has welcomed
today’s announcement that advertised broadband
speeds are now to be regulated under a new voluntary
code published by Ofcom – which calls on Internet
Service Providers (ISP’s) to publish accurate
estimates of the maximum connection speeds people
can expect before they buy broadband packages.
Mr Burns commented:
“I strongly welcome Ofcom’s move to introduce a code
calling on ISP’s to publish ‘accurate estimates’ of
connection speeds. I also welcome that 32 ISP’s,
covering more than 90% of UK broadband customers,
have already agreed to the code.
“Earlier this year SDLP Leader Mark Durkan tabled an
Early Day Motion in Parliament calling on Ofcom to
set a longer cooling-off period for customers
signing up to an ISP so they could be satisfied that
their actual connection speed matched the provider's
promise.”
“I am fully aware of the importance of broadband
speed to domestic consumers and businesses alike.
However, the ‘up to’ speeds advertised by broadband
providers have - to date - varied widely from the
actual slower speeds available on a given customer
or business line.
"Indeed, it should not be a lottery about what
broadband speeds consumers and businesses get.
“That is why I welcome this important move which
means that customers will now know what they are
paying for. Indeed, where they find it isn't fit for
purpose, they should be able to move penalty-free or
have charges adjusted to fit the speeds they get."
ENDS
06.06.08
Further information:
SDLP South Antrim Constituency Office: 028 9445 3807
Thomas Burns Stormont Office: 028 9041 8354
SDLP Press Office: 028 9052 1837
