European Commission finds internet speeds 25% slower than advertised
European internet customers are being short changed by their broadband providers with speeds of as little as 75 per cent of those advertised, according to the European Commission.
A report commissioned by the government body into the industry found that the average speed in Europe is currently 19.7Mbps but most providers advertise unrealistic ‘up to’ limits instead.
The study looked at 10,000 households across the Continent, ascertaining that cable broadband provided the closest match to advertised speeds at 91.4 per cent with fibre users next in line at 84.4 per cent.
At the opposite end of the spectrum enhanced ADSL connections achieved just 63.3 per cent of advertised speeds.
Dominic Baliszewski, from website broadbandchoices, said: "Fast broadband is no longer a luxury and is now just as essential as a reliable electricity supply for UK consumers.
"We shall see exactly how realistic these targets are. With Ofcom putting current super-fast availability at 65% of the population, there is still a long way to go."
The EU has set a minimum broadband speed target of 30Mbps by 2013 and half on a whopping 100Mbps by 2020.