Mobile broadband to receive speed test
Throughput speeds for the five major operatorsIndependent telecoms regulator Ofcom has appointed Cardiff-based broadband test company Epitiro to measure data throughput speeds for five major operators.
The telecoms giants; 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone are all to have their mobile broadband put to the test, to determine how fast it really is.
Ofcom has said that it commissioned Epitiro to perform the research because of growing dissatisfaction from consumers with the actual speeds they were receiving.
"Actual speeds delivered via mobile networks are typically well below the 'up to' speeds which are advertised," said the regulator in a statement. "Satisfaction levels with mobile broadband performance also seem significantly below satisfaction with other services."
ISPs (Internet Service Providers) have come under scrutiny from Ofcom in the past, resulting in a revised code of practise, after research found a growing gap between advertised and actual fixed line broadband speeds. With the impending research into mobile broadband no doubt intended to bring consumers a clearer view of what they get from their connection.
Epitiro will carry out the tests from a user's point of view using both stationary and moving laptops running detailed analysis software, as well as using data collected from volunteers who download the monitoring package, which is also used to collect fixed-line broadband data.
Research will take place from September 2010 to January 2011, with Ofcom expecting to publish a report in early 2011 Epitiro previously published the UK Mobile Broadband report, focusing mainly on average speeds, but also showing vast differences in packet loss and latency between networks, which is available from their website.
Article written by: James Eyre, 21c Telecom Ltd - suppliers of mobile broadband on the current fastest UK network, Vodafone.
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