UK mobile broadband providers give 24% of advertised speeds

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UK mobile broadband providers give 24% of advertised speeds Wednesday 23 September 2009 | 09:28 AM CET


UK mobile broadband providers are delivering on average just 24 percent of advertised download speeds to consumers who sign up for their mobile broadband services, according to research by broadband comparison site Broadband Expert. The website tested 3,342 mobile broadband connections between 1 March and 31 Augusti and found that the average actual download speed was 1.1 Mbps compared to the average advertised maximum speed of 4.5 Mbps. Vodafone recorded the fastest actual speed with an average of 1.3 Mbps, but it delivered the lowest percentage of its advertised speeds at just 18 percent of the stated 7.2 Mbps. The operator has announced that its maximum speeds are set to increase to 14.4 Mbps. Although there was not a great difference in actual speeds delivered between providers, T-Mobile was the slowest at 0.9 Mbps or 20 percent of the advertised speed. 3 achieved the highest percentage of advertised speeds clocking in at 1.2 Mbps or 33.3 percent of the advertised 3.6 Mbps maximum speed. By comparison, over the same period, Broadband Expert tested 94,546 home broadband connections where the average speed was 3.6 Mbps or 44 percent of advertised maximum speed. 3 UK issued a statement in response to the report underling its efforts to improve clarity in the industry and media and on advertised speeds. The company noted that it's "not just about speed, it's about access, convenience and the mobility offered".