When an operator says you can get ‘up to 7.2Mbps’ what sort of speed do you actually expect from your mobile broadband modem? According to the the BBC, 3 has reported Vodafone to the Advertising Standards Authority over the wording of its mobile broadband advertising, contending that ‘up to’ just isn’t good enough.
The Beeb says 3 has accused Vodafone of not making it clear that when it says ‘up to 7.2Mbps’ consumers actually won’t get anything like 7.2Mbps. Vodafone says it tells its customers when they buy a device that they shouldn’t expect to get top speeds.
In first days of wired broadband, this argument came up repeatedly and the regulator pretty much decided that putting ‘up to’ before a speed is enough of a caveat for users. For most man-in-the-street users, as long as they can get a service that lets them browse and send attachments in good speed, that’s enough for them. That said, a bit more realism in speed boasts never hurt anyone.
Three are doing the right thing with their broadband, stating realistic values the consumer can achieve for their products. Unfortunately unless they bully the rest of the industry to follow their lead consumers will see the numbers, not understand the context, and assume they’re inferior…
I have a VOD 7.2 Mbit s modem. It is phenomenal. 5 Mbit s down link in central London. Posted from my N95.
The Irish mobile broadband operators have had to get rid of the “up to” language from their advertisements. From this month they can only include average broadband speed attained by their service during
And there was me thinking ‘faster than light speed’ was already against trade descriptions…
Surprised no one’s picked up on it sooner.
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Voda are also advertising as the fastest mobile broadband in the galaxy. My friends on Alpha Centurai aren’t so happy about that claim!
Yes. Average speeds are better and consumers prefer providers to be upfront.
I do like the “fastest in the galaxy” ads, though. Pop art style.
Yes, but what vodafone don't say is that for the majority of users outside the london zone, the speed is much more like dial-up than broadband. It is being sold under false claims for those users where it is at best a convenience for low-res websites and an occasional email. Broadband it is NOT.
Yes, but what vodafone don't say is that for the majority of users outside the london zone, the speed is much more like dial-up than broadband. It is being sold under false claims for those users where it is at best a convenience for low-res websites and an occasional email. Broadband it is NOT.
Different information a Info nice ..I am using the Broadband Connection I check my Broadband Connection speed in the site http://www.ip-details.co