A big word for the broadband industry

In previous posts, I’ve speculated on the wild inaccuracy of online speed testers, and insisted broadband users should lose the obsession with speed and concentrate on full package value.

However, if you’re on the look out for a transparent, easy to use and immediate online speed checker, why not give the Be Broadband speed estimator a whirl?

I always approach these apps with scepticism, I can’t help it. Once you’ve taken umpteen online speed tests only to be told, time and time again, that your current ISP is a bunch of shoddy no-marks and you really need to switch to the company powering the speed tester you’re using, how can you not be just a little cynical about online speed testers?

However, I think Be might have cracked it.

The secret ingredient? Honesty.

I took the test (located on the Be Broadband homepage), the results of which were a reading of 10.72 Mbps. Not bad at all, I’m quite pleased with that.

The impressive thing is that Be agree with me, stating “you’re off to a flying start”, which is nice. Granted, they’re eager to explain how broadband is about “more than just speed”, but I knew that already.

The point is, I go away happy from this experience having not been given the hard-sell. Although I don’t want to switch to Be Broadband right now, I’ll view them favourably in the future when switching time comes around.

The Broadband Olympics

At a time when ISPs seem hell bent on alienating customers with false promises, restricted services and hidden charges, it’s so refreshing to see a progressive and forward thinking ISP putting their customers first for a change.

Building on a respectable second place in the Broadband Choices Spring/Summer speed test awards (with an average speed delivery of 4.86 Mbps), O2 have been awarded the two most coveted prizes at the Top 10 Broadband awards.

Claiming gongs for fastest broadband and customer satisfaction, O2’s exemplary customer service and delivery on its promises were cited as the driving force behind the awarding of these prizes.

Additional accolades were handed out to the following:

Best Mobile Broadband Provider: 3 Mobile

Best Wireless Broadband: BT

Small ISP Award: Plusnet

Best Short Contract Provider: AOL

Best Value: TalkTalk

Best Bundle: Virgin Media

Best Gaming Broadband: Be Broadband

Best Student Broadband: Vodafone

While I’d agree with most of these, there are a few winners and categories I take exception to.

First up, I don’t think Plusnet can still be referred to as a ‘small ISP’. Having celebrated its 11th birthday this year and being steered ‘hands on’ by BT, this no longer constitutes a ‘small ISP’ in my eyes. The prize should have gone to either Zen or Karoo, with Plusnet rightfully pitched against the big boys.

Secondly, how can AOL, with typical minimum contract lengths of 18 to 24 months, be considered a genuine contender for best short contract provider? The marketing team up at AOL must be delighted, and more than just a little surprised. Short-term contracts are where Plusnet comes into its own, and I think this should have been recognised.

Finally, in the student broadband category, O2 were unlucky to miss out on a third gong. Their policy of rewarding existing mobile phone customers with discounted premium broadband packages is an attractive prospect to students, particularly those in shared households where broadband connections are heavily strained and compromised.

One last thought, what happened to Sky and Tiscali?

 Get the Message?

First up, I’ve been on annual leave for the last working week, so forgive me for not posting in a while.

On my return, I’m happy to see the inaugural email in our monthly ‘Speed Demon’ series is currently winging its way to you. Contained therein you will find details of the latest broadband deals, expert advice from our resident boffin Michael Phillips and also a contribution from yours truly. Most pertinently however, you will see our shiny new broadband speed league table.

Fashioned from 3 months worth of data (with over 3000 readings taken for each supplier), this is a definitive account of speeds delivered by all the major ISPs during spring/summer 2008.

The verdict? Absolute rubbish.

I won’t start naming and shaming individual ISPs because there really is no need, they’re all underperforming.

Taking into account the range of connection speeds on offer (from 1Mbps to 24Mbps), you would expect the span between the fastest and slowest ISPs to be equally as wide, no? There is just 3.5Mbps between the top and bottom ISPs though, and you could pretty much throw a blanket over all 13 ISPs in the table given how close they are in terms of performance.

To me, this is incredulous. With certain ISPs advertising their service as ‘superfast broadband’, how can being one or two Mbps faster (on average) than a ‘standard’ broadband service be classified as ‘superfast’? 20Mbps faster and I’d happily let you use that ‘superfast’ tag, but one or two? Don’t make me laugh.

Also, the fact remains that even the well placed ISPs (Be Broadband at 5.77Mbps and O2 Broadband at 4.86Mbps) are woefully underachieving. You do know that broadband users in Japan and South Korea get average speeds of 55-70Mbps right? Clearly, when ‘up to’ 100Mbps arrives, it will actually mean 7Mbps.

Take Be Broadband out of the equation and the span between the remaining 12 ISPs is just 2.5Mbps. What’s the point in having league tables if each ISP is delivering pretty much the same speed? It doesn’t tell you anything.

Any consumers who focus on speed when evaluating which ISP to sign up with are foolish, it’s something I’ve said before and I’ll doubtless say it again. Look beyond speeds and hone in on data charges, headline costs, customer service phone line costs, hidden hardware charges, hardware compatibility and perhaps even the attitude of sales staff in stores.

Don’t get too caught up in the speed issue, there’s very little to choose between all 13 ISPs in our league table.

 BT’s ‘High Fibre’ Diet

BT’s declaration to supply super-fast fibre networks to 10 million homes by 2012 has caused much consternation and speculation in the telecoms sector.

A number of major players have backed BT’s incentive, but questioned its motives where market share is concerned.

Will your ISP adopt this new technology, or be left lagging behind? Here’s a round up of how four leading ISPs reacted to the prospect of superfast 100Mb networks, and described their level of participation in this movement.

O2 Broadband

O2 is tentatively considering the option of supplying 100Mb to homes via BT’s proposed fibre network, but needs concrete promises from BT before it gets the cheque book out.

An O2 spokesperson told ZDnet.co.uk the following:

“We need clear and unambiguous regulation in place before we start shelling out huge sums of money.”

Be Broadband

Be Broadband’s Oli White is similarly wary of a BT monopoly, but would be glad to hop on board given the necessary assurances.

He told BroadbandChoices:

“If BT follows the same model as we have in place now it will allow Be to offer more than 20meg broadband to far more than the existing 6% of the population. But if BT is allowed to take advantage of its monopolistic position and prevent ISPs like Be from delivering an exceptional service to customers, it will be a missed opportunity.”

Virgin Media

In terms of delivering super-fast broadband, Virgin Media has a two year head start on BT and will introduce a 50Mb service within the next few months.

Despite the ‘head to head’ nature of its relationship with BT, Virgin Media is, at the very least, backing BT’s intentions. A Virgin Media spokesperson had the following to say:

“We strongly support BT’s call for a stable regulatory environment that rewards both current and future investment. We will continue working closely with Ofcom and the government to achieve this.”

Sky

Sky went on the front foot by challenging Ofcom to maintain the competitive climate in the broadband sector. A Sky spokesman said:

“BT has much to offer but consumers will lose out if the right conditions are not in place to allow other providers to compete effectively.”

Ofcom replied by assuring Sky and other providers it will provide additional regulatory detail following BT’s announcement, based on providing the right incentives for operators to invest. Additionally, Ofcom pledged to publish a more detailed proposal for the regulatory framework in September.