Home Internet users in Britain are becoming increasingly wary over the fact that the broadband connections promised to them by the ISPs seldom work to the right speed.  

Although the speed of any Internet broadband connection varies depending on a number of factors, including the quality of line and the distance of the house from the nearest exchange, British Internet users are of the view that they are being cheated by the ISPs, who make tall claims regarding the broadband speed while offering the services, but later fail to deliver.

Piqued over being short-changed by the Internet broadband connections, the consumer panel that advises the British communications regulator Ofcom has said that the broadband connections provided to the people much slower than what is advertised by the Internet service providers as a result of which there is an extensive dissatisfaction among the users and this is growing by the day.

In fact, the consumer panel Chief Colette Bowe has urged the Ofcom authorities to provide more protection to the Internet users from being taken for a ride by the ISPs.

Emphasizing on the need to set up a code of practice, Bowe said that once such a process is established the customers would be more secure as they would know exactly what services they can expect from the Internet service providers during and after the sales processes.

At the same time, Bowe said that the Ofcom should immediately initiate discussions with the industry to chalk out an effective code of practice that can be implemented to ensure the benefits of all concerned.

The consumer panel headed by Bowe has also recommended a number of points that may be incorporated in the proposed code of practice. They include informing the consumers about the maximum possible Internet speed during the sales process and also providing distinct information on the factors that could affect the Internet speeds.

In addition, the recommendations say that the service providers too should visit the customers a fortnight after the installation to find about the actual functional Internet speed. It also suggests that if the consumers are found to have been short charged, they should be allowed to change their package for free.

Meanwhile, the Internet Service Providers' Association that represents numerous companies like BT, Tiscali and Virgin, has clarified that it already has a code of practice and complaints procedure.

A statement issued by the association said that it is possible that individual homes will have different Internet speeds even if all of them have bought packages from the same company and suggests that the consumers should never choose a service provider based on price alone.

Significantly, the British government has also agreed that the country’s economy could suffer if it fails to build an ultra-fast Internet network. Now, what remains to be seen is whether the Ofcom, the consumers, association and the government join hands to overcome the menace.

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