ISPs not candid on broadband speeds for customers

Ofcom set to tighten its code of practice on broadband speeds

Ofcom will tighten code of practice by summer

UK comms regulator Ofcom has found that ISPs are still unwilling to divulge information on broadband speeds to customers when those customers try to buy a broadband connection.

The regulator deployed mystery shoppers to try to buy a broadband connection from UK ISPs, and published its findings today.

The research shows that nearly half (42 per cent) of its mystery shoppers had to prompt ISPs for a download speed late in the sales process.

Three quarters (74 per cent) of the shoppers were also not informed that the speed they would eventually get was likely to be less than their maximum line speed.

To address its research findings, the regulator is now proposing to tighten its Broadband Speeds Code of Practice, originally introduced in December 2008.

Ofcom expects to be able to agree changes to the code with ISPs by summer 2010.

Ofcom will do more mystery shopping later in the year and will move to a mandatory code if the situation does not significantly improve, a spokeswoman for the regulator said.