Telecoms regulator Ofcom has teamed up with specialist broadband company SamKnows Broadband to carry out a survey of the U.K.’s broadband providers, allowing them to monitor the varying degree of speeds available on the market today. While there is some concern amongst the broadband industry regarding publication of the data it appears as though Ofcom is determined to make the industry as transparent as possible.
SamKnows Broadband has issued specially adapted routers to 2500 homes in the UK and will be monitoring connection speeds and other variables associated with the broadband sector. Interestingly Ofcom used the first tranche of information received back in January to confirm that the average British broadband speed is only half of that advertised by many broadband providers. While the regulator has not yet issued a league table of the varying speeds available and the providers in question this data is awaited with anticipation.
SamKnows Broadband is one of the fastest-growing broadband related companies in the sector and is enjoying ever closer relationships with a variety of well-known online companies as well as the official telecoms regulator. While some of the U.K.’s leading ISPs have expressed concern about the data being released into the general market it appears that Ofcom is intent on pushing UK broadband providers to improve their services and speeds on offer.