Slow Broadband - Does the UK Government Need To Step Up?
Over a Quarter of Homeowners across the UK are facing incredibly slow internet speeds, with some areas taking over 100 hours to Download a movie from Netflix.
The news comes as no surprise - with many Families struggling to maintain bearable download and upload speeds. However, reports from the market regulator - Ofcom, state that customers will now be able to ditch contracts without penalty. Ofcom has set a minimum guaranteed speed for any Broadband lines installed in homes.
Before the changes had been made, over 1 Million premises across the UK could not surpass speeds of 10Mbps. Compared to Ofcom’s definition of Super-fast Broadband Speeds of 30Mbps, it has been clear for longer than ever that speeds were not up to scratch.
One BT Customer even stated that Download speeds were 12 times higher in Malta compared to the UK - with 60Mbps being recorded in his premises in Malta.
The new minimum requirements will only apply to newly signed contracts and NOT existing ones, so if you’re thinking about changing your provider - BT are offering an £80.00 Reward card, and up to £180.00 worth of free gadgets in addition to their Superfast Fibre Package - providing speeds of up to 50Mbps - Please note, this deal is only running until March 14th if you are wanting to get your hands on it!
In the meantime, make the change to your broadband if you want the guaranteed minimum speeds, it’ll probably fix that buffer you get every time you try to stream your favorite Netflix series while your kids are surfing Youtube upstairs!