Ofcom-Samknows broadband speed surveys set to continue

UK telecom watchdog Ofcom and broadband analyst firm, Samknows have agreed to extend their speed surveys to find out the actual speeds that broadband users receive at their premises.

Last year’s Ofcom-Samknows speed survey revealed that the fixed line broadband users in UK receive an average 4.1Mbps against the advertised speeds of 8Mbps. Virgin Media topped the survey, followed by O2 and BE.

Subsequently, other speed surveys conducted in 2009 showed higher download speeds, yet the data fell short of what the UK internet providers claimed that their networks could deliver.

Samknows speed surveys, sponsored by Ofcom, use a montoring device called ‘white box’ which the users can get from the research firm and provide the data that will be used to measure the actual speeds, it was stated. This meter would be connected to the users’ broadband component.

Alex Salter, the chief executive of Samknows says that the monitoring of speeds at users’ premises would help in comparing the broadband speeds of different ISPs as well as help the users to know whether they get higher speeds when they switch to another provider.

“The 2009 project highlighted that a clear discrepancy exists between what the ISPs are saying and what the end consumer is actually receiving,” he added.

Samknows speed surveys will monitor only the fixed line broadband connections in UK for the next two years as the contract ends April 2012.