This is a Non-political, non-profit, website
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Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.
Act 3, Scene 1, line 273 of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar:
Act 3, Scene 1, line 273 of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar:
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Use the new TOOLS menu to measure and optimise your wireless broadband
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Advertising standards agency move into real world (nearly)
23 MAy 18
From today, we will begin to enforce the new, tougher standard on how broadband speed claims can be presented in ads.
The new standard requires that numerical speed claims in broadband ads - across all media including online and social media - should be based on the download speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8pm-10pm) and described in ads as “average”.
The new standard will help consumers better understand what’s on offer when deciding to switch providers. Consumers also need to be aware that there are a range of factors that affect the broadband speed they are going to get in their own home depending on where they live, the broadband technology their provider uses, how many people in one household are using broadband and what they are using it for, for example, streaming.
Read more ...
The new standard requires that numerical speed claims in broadband ads - across all media including online and social media - should be based on the download speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8pm-10pm) and described in ads as “average”.
The new standard will help consumers better understand what’s on offer when deciding to switch providers. Consumers also need to be aware that there are a range of factors that affect the broadband speed they are going to get in their own home depending on where they live, the broadband technology their provider uses, how many people in one household are using broadband and what they are using it for, for example, streaming.
Read more ...
some news for ADVERTISING STANDARDS AGENCY
23 MAY 18
Image, just several years later the Advertising Standards Agency @ASA_UK today make broadband providers tell the truth (almost) about speed rather than allowing them to use the “Up to” excuse. What next, a man on the moon!
Maybe @ASA_UK could next tackle the “bricks, Christmas tree lights… etc” attenuate WiFi signals. Do they not t know you can listen to a radio inside a brick house without loss of signal. Perhaps they think WiFi isn’t radio :-)?
Virgin Media and all the other broadband providers (and OFCOM) think the wireless signal from a router can't penetrate brick walls.
Maybe @ASA_UK could next tackle the “bricks, Christmas tree lights… etc” attenuate WiFi signals. Do they not t know you can listen to a radio inside a brick house without loss of signal. Perhaps they think WiFi isn’t radio :-)?
Virgin Media and all the other broadband providers (and OFCOM) think the wireless signal from a router can't penetrate brick walls.
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Try our new wireless can test tool (WTT), and test it yourself! Instructions:
Note: Wireless Test Tool available from Tesco £5 Available in store - Tesco RAD112R Pocket Analogue Radio Catalogue Number:213-2139 |
New Wireless Test Tool
Look Mum, radio waves pass thru brick
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Broadband ‘nanobots’ could double speeds and fix connections
2 March 18
Slow internet could be a thing of the past, thanks to a new technology that promises to speed up and fix bad broadband connections in the blink of an eye. NewNet is a miniature USB-stick containing millions of intelligent microchips, effectively a primitive form of tiny robots or ‘nanobots’, which can spread into a phone line to improve your connection.
Read more
Source: Which?
Read more
Source: Which?
At last! No more lies about broadband speeds
2 JaN 18
Adverts will have to show average half of homes achieve during peak times
Internet giants are to be blocked from misleading millions of customers with bogus claims about how fast their broadband is. At the moment, companies such as BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin advertise their broadband based on so-called ‘up to’ speeds. However, few customers realise that the claims are allowed even if just 10 per cent of households can achieve those speeds.
The new rules, announced by the Committee on Advertising Practice (CAP), mean the firms will have to limit their claims to the average speed available to at least 50 per cent of customers at peak times.
Read more
Source DailyMail on Facebook
Internet giants are to be blocked from misleading millions of customers with bogus claims about how fast their broadband is. At the moment, companies such as BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin advertise their broadband based on so-called ‘up to’ speeds. However, few customers realise that the claims are allowed even if just 10 per cent of households can achieve those speeds.
The new rules, announced by the Committee on Advertising Practice (CAP), mean the firms will have to limit their claims to the average speed available to at least 50 per cent of customers at peak times.
Read more
Source DailyMail on Facebook
OFCOM catches up with the rest of us
14 OCT 17
OFCOM have proposed enhancements to the existing code of practice after hundreds of articles in newspapers both national and local, media outlets and even mainstream television broadcasters have made the same objections. Primetime TV programmes such as The One Show and Watchdog have put the spotlight on the very same issues.
Only when everyman and his dog complained about broadband speeds did OFCOM decide to act. This author, perhaps naively, had assumed OFCOM were to be proactive in protecting the public interest and now realise that it is a reactive organisation.
Ofcom is planning to:
The way in which they plan to do this is by enhancing the code of practice tears after the first code of practice allowed broadband providers to mislead the public with "Up to" advertising.
Read more about their proposals here ..
You can respond to their consultation process here ..
Can they get it right this time? Don't hold your breath.
Only when everyman and his dog complained about broadband speeds did OFCOM decide to act. This author, perhaps naively, had assumed OFCOM were to be proactive in protecting the public interest and now realise that it is a reactive organisation.
Ofcom is planning to:
- Improve information on speeds at the point of sale and in contracts, by reflecting the slower speeds people can experience at ‘peak’ times; and by ensuring providers always give a minimum guaranteed speed before sale.
- Strengthen the right to exit if speeds fall below a guaranteed minimum level. Providers would have a limited time to improve speeds before they must let customers walk away without penalty. For the first time, this right to exit would also apply to contracts that include phone and pay-TV services bought together with broadband services.
- Increase the number of customers who benefit from the codes, by expanding their scope to apply to all broadband technologies.
The way in which they plan to do this is by enhancing the code of practice tears after the first code of practice allowed broadband providers to mislead the public with "Up to" advertising.
Read more about their proposals here ..
You can respond to their consultation process here ..
Can they get it right this time? Don't hold your breath.
The best and worst broadband providers
22 SEPT 17
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The best and worst broadband providers, where does your house sit?
Slow speeds, poor customer service and the age old problem of buffering is what separates TalkTalk broadband from rivals and why Zen will leave you feeling calmer. more .. |
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Your broadband consumer rights
If you think your service is bad, the good news is you could be entitled to compensation.
That's because your broadband provider has a legal obligation to deliver what you pay for - and what you were sold. These are your rights:
more ..
If you think your service is bad, the good news is you could be entitled to compensation.
That's because your broadband provider has a legal obligation to deliver what you pay for - and what you were sold. These are your rights:
- All goods and services must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, delivered as described, and provided to a proper standard of workmanship. In other words, your broadband should work.
- Both you and your broadband provider must comply with the terms on your contract. If you consider your provider to be in breach of the contract - e.g. if you're not being delivered consistent service - you have the right to cancel it.
- The contract with your broadband provider must be fair.
- You have the right to cancel your contract at any point - though in some circumstances you'll need to pay a fee.
more ..
VIRGIN MEDIA Superlast service
10 SEPT 17
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Which, the Consumers' Association, published the Top 100 companies for customer service and Virgin Media cam last (94= with five other companies). For those of us who made the mistake of using this dreadful company the news came as now surprise.
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Virgin Media bottom for the class for customer service
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Virgin Media mulls ditching 1 in 3 UK facilities
1 Aug 17
Chief exec Tom Mockridge told his workforce: “Every year, we spend more than £20m on our facilities but, frankly, this investment is not working hard enough for everyone at Virgin Media. And, over the past couple of years, we’ve invested an additional £12m to improve the standard of a number of our offices.”
more ...
more ...
Millions of households should get a cash refund on their broadband bills
30 July 17
BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GETTING MINIMUM SPEEDS, MPS SAY MPS SAY 6.7M OUT OF THE 22M CONNECTIONS ARE SLOWER THAN PROPOSED MINIMUM FEWER THAN HALF OF ALL CONNECTIONS ARE 'SUPERFAST' - WHICH IS ABOVE 24 MEGABITS CROSS-PARTY COMMITTEE SAID IT PAINTS 'WORRYING PICTURE FOR POST-BREXIT BRITAIN
more ..
Note from Author: EE will now refund if you are not getting the minimum guaranteed speed. For example, on the 38 Mb/s package the minimum guaranteed speed is 27.4 Mb/s, fall below this for even a short period and you should ask for a refund for that period.
more ..
Note from Author: EE will now refund if you are not getting the minimum guaranteed speed. For example, on the 38 Mb/s package the minimum guaranteed speed is 27.4 Mb/s, fall below this for even a short period and you should ask for a refund for that period.
Broadband speed advert plans would stop consumers being misleD
5 May 17
Broadband providers will have to ensure at least 50% of customers can receive their advertised headline speeds under proposals to prevent consumers from being misled.
Current standards say speeds quoted in broadband adverts need apply to a minimum of just 10% of all customers, providing they include the words “up to”.
Source: Belfast Telegraph
more ..
Current standards say speeds quoted in broadband adverts need apply to a minimum of just 10% of all customers, providing they include the words “up to”.
Source: Belfast Telegraph
more ..
Broadband advertising should not say 'up to' in speed claims, says ASA
23 FEB 17
Broadband advertising should not say 'up to' in speed claims, says ASA
The ASA said descriptions of speeds using the words "up to" is confusing and may be prohibited in changes to Committee of Advertising Practice rules next year.
Matt Hancock, the culture minister, tweeted that he was delighted by the move and that ads promoting broadband are "incredibly misleading".
more
The ASA said descriptions of speeds using the words "up to" is confusing and may be prohibited in changes to Committee of Advertising Practice rules next year.
Matt Hancock, the culture minister, tweeted that he was delighted by the move and that ads promoting broadband are "incredibly misleading".
more
ASA rules that BROADBAND Sky should not use the ad again
23 FEB 17
A press ad for Sky broadband, seen in May 2015, stated "Fastest peak time speeds measured by Ofcom". Text underneath stated "For speeds up to 38Mb". Small print at the bottom of the ad stated "... Fastest peak time speeds: measured by Ofcom comparing Sky, BT, Plusnet and EE's up to 38Mb in its latest UK fixed-line broadband performance report (November 2014)
BT challenged whether the "Fastest peak time speeds measured by Ofcom" claim was misleading, because the Ofcom report the claim was based on had not taken into account Wi-Fi performance and because the Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) data used in the report had not been 'normalised' to take into account the distance from the exchange.
ASA rule that the ad must not appear again in its current form. We told Sky UK Ltd to ensure that in future they made clear that speed claims related to fixed-line performance only, if that was the case.
more ...
BT challenged whether the "Fastest peak time speeds measured by Ofcom" claim was misleading, because the Ofcom report the claim was based on had not taken into account Wi-Fi performance and because the Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) data used in the report had not been 'normalised' to take into account the distance from the exchange.
ASA rule that the ad must not appear again in its current form. We told Sky UK Ltd to ensure that in future they made clear that speed claims related to fixed-line performance only, if that was the case.
more ...
Watchdog set to change broadband speed advertising rules
24 nov 16
Providers are currently allowed to advertise broadband speeds if they are available to 10% of their customers.
However, the ASA is concerned that this could potentially mislead people, with the majority of customers possibly not getting the speeds they expected.
The call for change comes in the wake of research carried out by GfK on the watchdog's behalf has found that levels of knowledge and understanding of broadband speeds varies significantly among consumers.
more..
However, the ASA is concerned that this could potentially mislead people, with the majority of customers possibly not getting the speeds they expected.
The call for change comes in the wake of research carried out by GfK on the watchdog's behalf has found that levels of knowledge and understanding of broadband speeds varies significantly among consumers.
more..
OFCOM Confirm our test results
23 Sept 16
Over a period of a year we took readings of WiFi performance on two Virgin Media packages (200 Mb/s & 50 Mb/s). With over 400 readings we were able to conclude that the factors given as denigrating (attenuating) the WiFi signal were false. Further more that the router provided by Virgin Media (the latest version 3) was itself limited and could never deliver 200 Mb/s.
We sent our case study to findings to OFCOM for analysis and this is there response.
From Jonathan Rose, Director OFCOM NI
Case Study
I referred your case study to my colleagues in Ofcom’s Technology Team. Their observation is that the fastest that the Wi-Fi is able operate at is 80Mbps. This is unrelated to the speed that Virgin Media is delivering to the Hub. When Virgin Media delivers 200Mbps to the property the Wi-Fi is the constraint. However, when Virgin Media delivers 50Mbps to the property, it is the speed to the property that is the constraint (as the Wi-Fi can still operate at 80Mbps).
In essence the following is true:
Sudo-Science Excuses for Poor Wifi
Virgin Media (and other providers supported by OFCOM) claim the Wifi signal from the router allowing use of portable devices such as tablets and smart phones are detrimentally affected by a number of items commonly present in the home including the following:
Walls, furniture, halogen lamps, electrical dimmer switches, stereo or computer speakers, Christmas fairy lights, TVs monitors , AC power cords and baby monitors. Stating, without supporting evidence, that these have all been known to cause interference to broadband routers.
THESE FOR THE MOST PART ARE ALL UNTRUE.
We asked Virgin Media and OFCOM to provide research evidence in support of these claims. Neither could provide any scientific evidence for any items in the above list
Just let me ask a simple question did Virgin Media not expect houses to be built of brick and contain furniture!
We sent our case study to findings to OFCOM for analysis and this is there response.
From Jonathan Rose, Director OFCOM NI
Case Study
I referred your case study to my colleagues in Ofcom’s Technology Team. Their observation is that the fastest that the Wi-Fi is able operate at is 80Mbps. This is unrelated to the speed that Virgin Media is delivering to the Hub. When Virgin Media delivers 200Mbps to the property the Wi-Fi is the constraint. However, when Virgin Media delivers 50Mbps to the property, it is the speed to the property that is the constraint (as the Wi-Fi can still operate at 80Mbps).
In essence the following is true:
- At a package seed of 50 Mb/s IT IS possible to get 50 Mb/s on a Wifi signal - therefore zero attenuation by the factors below.
- At a package seed of 20 Mb/s IT IS ONLY possible to get 80 Mb/s on a Wifi signal - the limitation of the router hardware
Sudo-Science Excuses for Poor Wifi
Virgin Media (and other providers supported by OFCOM) claim the Wifi signal from the router allowing use of portable devices such as tablets and smart phones are detrimentally affected by a number of items commonly present in the home including the following:
Walls, furniture, halogen lamps, electrical dimmer switches, stereo or computer speakers, Christmas fairy lights, TVs monitors , AC power cords and baby monitors. Stating, without supporting evidence, that these have all been known to cause interference to broadband routers.
THESE FOR THE MOST PART ARE ALL UNTRUE.
We asked Virgin Media and OFCOM to provide research evidence in support of these claims. Neither could provide any scientific evidence for any items in the above list
Just let me ask a simple question did Virgin Media not expect houses to be built of brick and contain furniture!
BBS RIP OFF BRITIAN PROGRAMME SAY BROADBAND A RIP OFF
23 SEPT 16
Rip Off Britain -
Series 8: Episode 10
Documentary exposing rip-offs that are costing British consumers. The team investigate why so many people have had problems trying to get faster broadband in their homes.
View now
View Programme (available to 22 October 2016
Series 8: Episode 10
Documentary exposing rip-offs that are costing British consumers. The team investigate why so many people have had problems trying to get faster broadband in their homes.
View now
View Programme (available to 22 October 2016
Economy Minister supports calls for tightening of broadband advertising rules
10 AUG 16
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Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA , has pledged his support to calls for changes to advertising rules governing broadband suppliers.
Current rules allow broadband providers to promote "up to" download speeds in their advertising if they can demonstrate that just 10 percent of their customers can achieve those higher speeds. Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA said: “The “10%” and “up to” advertised download speed is incredibly confusing for consumers. Service providers must more accurately reflect the service that will be received. “The Northern Ireland Executive has, for many years, recognised the importance of quality broadband access and has invested significantly in the provision of fast and reliable broadband services, particularly in rural areas. It is less than acceptable that consumers, both residential and business, cannot get accurate information on the speed of service they will receive when entering contracts with service providers. “I have written to the Advertising Standards Authority to offer my full support for changes to the advertising rules. Broadband is vital to the growth of our economy. It is also an important enabler when addressing social inclusion. These factors are particularly prevalent to rural areas and, as a largely rural community, to Northern Ireland.” |
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton supports calls for tightening of broadband advertising rules
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Broadband 'up to' download speeds misleading, say council chiefs
10 Aug 16
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Broadband providers should stop using "up to" download speeds to advertise their products because they are misleading, according to council bosses.
Companies are allowed to use such headline figures in their promotional material as long as they can demonstrate that at least 10% of their customers get such speeds. But the Local Government Association (LGA) said performance in many remote rural areas falls well below speeds of even 2Mbps (megabits per second) during busy usage periods, like after 6pm and when children get home from school. The LGA, which represents more than 370 councils across England and Wales, believes that switching from advertising "up to" speeds to using average speeds would help paint a more accurate picture for consumers. more ... |
Term "Up to" misleading
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bt must put its house in order or face split - say MPS
19 July 16
BT is "significantly under investing" in its network arm Openreach and should face structural separation if it does not commit to remedying the shortfall, according to a parliamentary report. The report commissioned was by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee from a panel of independent experts.
more...
more...
Queens Speech announces forthcoming legisation
16 July 16
Broadband promises would be underwritten by a "new Broadband Universal Service Obligation", which "expects" minimum UK broadband speed to be 10Mbps "initially". The Bill would also, however, deliver direct power to Ofcom to "review the speed over time to make sure it is still sufficient for modern life".
Ofcom would also be given the power to release data on customer complaints and accurate broadband speed data to help customers better navigate the market. "Automatic compensation" is also promised for "when things go wrong" with a broadband service.
Ofcom would also be given the power to release data on customer complaints and accurate broadband speed data to help customers better navigate the market. "Automatic compensation" is also promised for "when things go wrong" with a broadband service.
Diabetes rampant
21 June 16
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The number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has increased to more than 3.2 million, according to figures released today by Diabetes UK.
The new figures, extracted from official NHS data, show that there were 3,208,014 adults with the condition in 2013, an increase of more than 163,000 compared to 2012. This is the biggest increase in a single year since 2008 and it means six per cent of UK adults is now diagnosed with diabetes (this does not include the hundreds of thousands of people with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes). Source: Diabetes UK |
Effect of Low Blood Sugar - Hypoglycemia
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JUST GOT A FEW SECONDS TO CHECK YOUR BROADBAND - TRY THIS
23 APRIL 16
ofcom communicate and say little
2 June 16
We will be recruiting for panellists shortly, and fixed broadband users can volunteer to take part in the research at https://signups.samknows.com/ofcom/.
Signing up does not guarantee that volunteers will receive a measurement unit, as this is dependent on them matching our sample plan. And please note that this study will focus on speeds received to the modem rather than speeds over wi-fi.
:: Jonathan Rose
Director
Ofcom Northern Ireland
Direct Line: 028 90 417501
Mobile: 07970 777727
jonathan.rose@ofcom.org.uk
Signing up does not guarantee that volunteers will receive a measurement unit, as this is dependent on them matching our sample plan. And please note that this study will focus on speeds received to the modem rather than speeds over wi-fi.
:: Jonathan Rose
Director
Ofcom Northern Ireland
Direct Line: 028 90 417501
Mobile: 07970 777727
jonathan.rose@ofcom.org.uk
Monumental BROADBAND problem this country has allowed to fester
29 APRIL 16
In this alternate universe, one in three of Ireland's citizens today has to travel to the nearest town every morning to boil a mobile kettle and cook their meals for the day.
Read more
Read more
Public anger at the UK broadband market
24 APRIL 16
Anyone who read the papers last week might be forgiven for thinking that Britain’s broadband troubles are over. After years of rising anger about poor reliability, speed and coverage, a new piece of legislation is on the way, aiming to deliver universal coverage.
Read More
Read More
OFCOM Mislead the publiC (Again!)
Updated 23 APRIL 16
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OFCOM have announced a public consultation seeking your views on improving broadband services. You can let them know what you think here (http://goo.gl/55HjQG)
But the OFCOM press release ( http://goo.gl/4ANmDk) is misleading. And so is the graphic they use to illustrate there proposal. It suggests great flow of water (i.e.) data but the reality is adding more radio frequencies on top of the two existing ones (2.4 Ghz and 5GHz) increases the number and f NUMBER input routes not the SPEED provided to the home. 
Ofcom have announced they are considering opening up an additional “sub band” within the 5GHz frequency to make connections faster. “These extra channels could be opened up in a few years”.. “Ofcom is keen to work with industry to understand how even more airwaves might help growing demand” Philip Marnick –Group Director of Spectrum who continues “need to ensure people are not let down by their wireless connection” “wants to close the gap between advertised speeds and the wireless performance people & business actually receive”.
“Wireless broadband may not be working as well as it could be in nearly six million UK homes and offices, according to Ofcom research. This is often caused by the WiFi set up in the house slowing down the broadband” IN THEORY, THEORY AND PRACTICE ARE THE SAME. IN PRACTICE THEY ARE NOT – Albert Einstein Considering Ofcom’s latest attempt to placate the frustration of broadband’s end user, let’s examine“sub band to make connections faster?” - Faster connection is not the issue. Connection may be an issue and if it is, extra sub bands will not solve the problem. They say “Extra channels could be opened up in a few years?” - Might/Might Not, Few – subjective language. Does anyone actually KNOW? “Ofcom is keen to work with industry to understand how even more airwaves in the 5GHz range might help meet growing demand?” - This is an admission Ofcom are proposing plans to introduce more airwaves which they don’t understand how or if indeed would be of any advantage? They also say there is a “Need to ensure people are not let down by their wireless connection” - How does Mr Marnick propose to implement a solution to this major issue? Does OFCOM “want to close the gap between advertised speeds and the wireless performance people & business actually receive” - Nowhere are speeds quoted as wireless, all advertised/charged speeds are wired. The marketing departments of broadband providers should be forced to amend misleading claims and state factual data speeds and charge appropriately. “Wireless broadband may not be working as well as it could be in nearly six million UK homes and offices" according to Ofcom research. – What research have Ofcom conducted? Where are their results? Must be a substantive report to gain info from nearly six million homes & offices, How many visits to confirm wireless speeds? I would suspect info gathered is based on wired connections!! “This is often caused by the WiFi set up in the house slowing down the broadband” claim OFCOM with absolutely no physical data to corroborate this statement (Confirmed by Ofcom). This is the greatest Myth . The broadband industry spews out excuses to deny liability of their inability to provide what they advertise. Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Mazda and Mitsubishi in the car sector are good company for the UK broadband sector companies, including Virgin Media and a there , are telling their customers nothing less than down-right lies. Will we believe them in future - NO. |
Not This
This suggests more water (faster broadband) but not true
But This
More frequencies - same broadband speed to more devices.
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Low UK broadband targets lack ambition using slow and costly network upgrades
19 APRIL 16
Chattanooga USA may be small, it has big ambitions, recently becoming one of the first cities in the world to offer homes and business access to broadband speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). This is a thousand times faster than the UK government’s universal service obligation (USO) for all British premises to be able to access 10 megabits per second (Mbps) [pdf], announced with much fanfare in the Queen’s speech this week.
Read more
Source: The Guardian
Read more
Source: The Guardian
UK Government thinks 10 Mbps minimum broadband speed is enough. But, is it?
19 APRIL 16
Its an unteathered world
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The new reform introduced by UK government states that every service should provide a minimum broadband speed of 10 Mbps. While businesses all over the world have welcomed this decision by the government, some critics think that this minimum speed is not ‘ambitious enough’.
In fact, many think that the access changes could backfire instead and stand in the way of future improvements in mobile coverage across the country. Read more |
OFCOM Plans to speed up the UK’s Wi-Fi connections
19 APRIL 16
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Jonahan Rose, Director OFCOM NI has informed this author that OFCOM consulting on how to design a Universal Service Obligation for broadband, which means people would have a legal right to request a broadband connection of at least 10Mb/s, in the first instance.
Of course 10 Mb/s is slow broadband but its The a move in the right direction. More detail here |
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Netflix launches easy to use speed test!
18 APRIL 16
Is your ISP ripping you off? Netflix launches interactive speed test so users can see if they are really getting what they pay for. If you have a sneaking suspicion that you aren't getting the internet speeds you pay for, Netflix has come to the rescue. It has revealed a new free interactive a tool that measures personal internet connections, allowing users to see just how slow or fast their speed is. Called fast.com, the site analyzes the connection for both mobile and broadband to help users gain insight and control of their internet service - and it's free for everyone. Read more: http://dailym.ai/1XAOTvM The Naked Truth In out tests using an iPad Pro we compared wireless speeds using fast.com and speed test.net are found a considerable inconsistancy with fast.com being 18 more favourable. So, given both are measuring the same quantity how are there two different results? We recommend speedtest.net |
Easiest speed test but is it accurate
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The Great Broadband Betrayal
18 April 16
Families face paying thousands for high speed internet access
Every family will win the right to demand a ‘fast’ broadband connection it was announced in the Queen’s Speech yesterday, but those in remote communities may have to pay hundreds of pounds to get it.
Government sources said the broadcast regulator Ofcom would be asked to review the new minimum connection speed in the future to ensure it is ‘still sufficient for modern life’.
Read more: http://goo.gl/5JGwxQ
Every family will win the right to demand a ‘fast’ broadband connection it was announced in the Queen’s Speech yesterday, but those in remote communities may have to pay hundreds of pounds to get it.
Government sources said the broadcast regulator Ofcom would be asked to review the new minimum connection speed in the future to ensure it is ‘still sufficient for modern life’.
Read more: http://goo.gl/5JGwxQ
Virgin media uncovered
17 MAY 16
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The secret of carrying out a successful experiment is to change just one thing while keeping everything else the same. So, when this author got fed up with paying Virgin Media for something they don't deliver the opportunity to see if Virgin Media engineers were telling lies presented itself.
My broadband package was 200 Mb/s but I didn't even get close to that figure on my phone or tablet. Not even half that, more like 80 Mb/s. The Virgin engineers said that 200 was being delivered to the router but the missing 120 was due to the signal being weakened (attenuated) by my brick chimney which is in the middle of the house. Oh yes, and maybe my microwave, child monitor, Christmas tree lights might be interfering (even if I don't have them). |
Truth is a stranger
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It seems reasonable but it's totally wrong and now I can prove it. It's poppycock - you can listen to a small radio indoors, so radio waves can pass through brick, clearly!
Keep in mind of the broadband in was 200 and Virgin says the chimney breast absorbs 120 (60%) - leaving 80 usable.
I was so disgusted at being over charged I reduced my a package to 50Mb/s. That was the ONLY change made. Of course you would expect the chimney breast to absorb 60% of that (30Mb/) leaving me with the 20Mb/s. So what where the results of this experiment? On my tablet, over a wireless connection, I got the full 50 Mb/s!
So that's 50 in and 50 usable. Not any signal reduction (attenuation) because of the chimney breast. The conclusion is clear. The chimney breast had NOTHING to do with my earlier poor performance.
So what might have caused the poor performance? Could it be Virgin Media, like many airlines, over-sell the broadband service and simply can't deliver what they say the can! If an airline over-sells seats and you turn up at the airport they compensate you. We need to hold the whole broadband industry to account in this way to stop the practice.
Or perhaps the router is incapable of transmitting higher speeds, if so, it it unreasonable to ask Virgin to be honest about it?
The Rt. Honourable Grant Shapps MP is trying to do just that. Several articles below provide fuller detail of his Broadband Infrastructure Group (BIG) which has 50 MPs on it with a further 70 giving their support. Mr Gavin Robinson MP is on it to represent the interests of Northern Ireland.
The Consumer Association, Which? Is trying to stop the broadband industry from mis-selling through the use of terms such as "Up to" as in "Up to 200 Mb/s". Finally when Virgin vans proclaim SUPERFAST fibre optical network unless someone has dug up your driveway lately your cable isn't fibre optical at all its old fashioned copper wire (co-axial, copper in the middle). You can register your vote for the Which? Campaign - See below.
Keep in mind of the broadband in was 200 and Virgin says the chimney breast absorbs 120 (60%) - leaving 80 usable.
I was so disgusted at being over charged I reduced my a package to 50Mb/s. That was the ONLY change made. Of course you would expect the chimney breast to absorb 60% of that (30Mb/) leaving me with the 20Mb/s. So what where the results of this experiment? On my tablet, over a wireless connection, I got the full 50 Mb/s!
So that's 50 in and 50 usable. Not any signal reduction (attenuation) because of the chimney breast. The conclusion is clear. The chimney breast had NOTHING to do with my earlier poor performance.
So what might have caused the poor performance? Could it be Virgin Media, like many airlines, over-sell the broadband service and simply can't deliver what they say the can! If an airline over-sells seats and you turn up at the airport they compensate you. We need to hold the whole broadband industry to account in this way to stop the practice.
Or perhaps the router is incapable of transmitting higher speeds, if so, it it unreasonable to ask Virgin to be honest about it?
The Rt. Honourable Grant Shapps MP is trying to do just that. Several articles below provide fuller detail of his Broadband Infrastructure Group (BIG) which has 50 MPs on it with a further 70 giving their support. Mr Gavin Robinson MP is on it to represent the interests of Northern Ireland.
The Consumer Association, Which? Is trying to stop the broadband industry from mis-selling through the use of terms such as "Up to" as in "Up to 200 Mb/s". Finally when Virgin vans proclaim SUPERFAST fibre optical network unless someone has dug up your driveway lately your cable isn't fibre optical at all its old fashioned copper wire (co-axial, copper in the middle). You can register your vote for the Which? Campaign - See below.
The broadbad report
15 MAY 16
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The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP doesn't pull any punches in his condemnation of the UK Internet industry
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The Great British Broadband Rip-Off
15 MAY 16
The way UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) advertise their speeds and prices is a national scandal. UK consumers will be all too familiar with the false promises of their ISP about the speed of their internet and the opaque details of the price when signing up. Consumers have very few rights and protections they can turn to if they are poorly treated by their ISP. This isn’t the case with other industries, like finance or flights. According to The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP
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Where has it all gone?
Updated 15 May 2016
We have had the vacuum cleaner out and tidied up and added a new Tools section to boot. We have move articles relating to Tools, OFCOM, Broadband, Roadworks, Glass Recycling and Rates Overpayment to the main menu at the top of the screen.
Kick the can down the road
26 APRIL 16
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Is this the modern way of dealing with the public?
Delay, delay and more delay. You get fed up and give up. From household names and governments alike. I'll not mention Virgin Media, OFCOM Advertising Standards Authority ASA , Land & Property Services (LSP) but you know who they are. This website doesn't put up or give up. Never, never, never. A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma |
A man who never gave up
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Broadband speed advertising misleading, say MPs
16 APRIL 16
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Internet providers are not in breach of current guidelines, even if only 10% of customers can obtain their fastest advertised speed, the group said.
The British Infrastructure Group is calling for greater powers to enable consumers to hold providers to account. The Advertising Standards Authority said it was aware of concerns about speeds and would consider further work. Other industries, such as airlines and banks, are forced to compensate customers for errors, delays and poor practice, so why not broadband? British Infrastructure Group"Our position on broadband speed claims in ads is based on extensive work undertaken in recent years, including a full public consultation on new guidance," it said in a statement. 'Scandalous'"Other industries, such as airlines and banks, are forced to compensate customers for errors, delays and poor practice, so why not broadband?" the report said. Source BBC News more .. Related Stories The Telegraph ( View ) http://goo.gl/aiQgqX The Telegraph ( View ) http://goo.gl/nj54qZ Politics Home ( View ) https://www.politicshome.com/node/73893 The Guardian ( View ) https://goo.gl/c6MQcg BT staff recorded mocking MPs' report into firm's 'dire' broadband servicesThe Sun ( View ) http://goo.gl/8RH25s |
British Infrastructure Group
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Join the Which? Broadband Campaign re-postEight in ten people don’t know that the speeds quoted in broadband ads only need to be available to 10% of customers. We and Which? want advertising watchdogs to pull the plug on confusing ads and ensure providers show speeds the majority of customers actually get. More info here
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On desktop or mobile test speed in a browser
On mobile devices download the app
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people who agree with you
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Fourteen year olD white terrier can affEct your bRoadband
Of course it's not true. Your microwave, a lamp, a baby monitor? Are they untrue too, YES. Is your router on top of your microwave. My microwave is in the kitchen, where is yours, and how many minutes in the day do you use it?
No Virgin, they all are excuses. You're telling customers sudo-science, and selling snake oil and lies. Take me to court if I am libelling you. Please take me to court. What a fun day it would be for your legal team to defend that Virgin have rewitten the Laws of Science.
The BBC have been using wireless for nearly 100 years. Radios were called wireless, you want to make it mysterious. Michael Faraday explained it in late 1800s.
It's a pitiful service explained by pitiful excuses.
Where can I plug a Ethernet cable into my iPad. What century do you believe we are all living in. Who has a wired network in their private residence?
No Virgin, they all are excuses. You're telling customers sudo-science, and selling snake oil and lies. Take me to court if I am libelling you. Please take me to court. What a fun day it would be for your legal team to defend that Virgin have rewitten the Laws of Science.
The BBC have been using wireless for nearly 100 years. Radios were called wireless, you want to make it mysterious. Michael Faraday explained it in late 1800s.
It's a pitiful service explained by pitiful excuses.
Where can I plug a Ethernet cable into my iPad. What century do you believe we are all living in. Who has a wired network in their private residence?
Man over charges rates for 27 yrs may not get money back
A homeowner has hit out after it emerged he had been overpaying his rates for 27 years but will only get 30% of the money returned.
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Badger Culling costs £6,775 per single badger, figures reveal
Read more: Daily Mail tinyurl.com/nnrk37a |
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