Mobile Broadband Still Crawling as Misleading 'up to' Claims Continue

CAMBRIDGE, England, September 28, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

- Broadband Genie Test Results Show Average Speeds of Just Over 1Mb

The latest research from Broadbandgenie.co.uk shows there has been little to no increase in average mobile broadband speeds over the last 12 months. Despite the likes of 3, Vodafone and Virgin Media all advertising 'up to' speeds of 7.2Mb, the average is still below 1.2Mb.

T-Mobile and Vodafone came out strongest, with average speeds around 1.2Mb, while Orange lagged behind with an average of just 0.86Mb. While O2 and 3 Mobile averaged closer to 1Mb, both showed an upward curve in average speeds from below 1Mb last August to around 1.2Mb this year, bringing them more in line with their rivals and leaving Orange with some work to do to compete.

Commenting on the results, Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: "It's hard to believe the government or Ofcom hasn't stepped in to bring these 'up to' speeds into line with reality.

"Action is being taken on fixed-line speed advertising, where lines advertised as 'up to' 8Mb are averaging around 3.5Mb - the situation with mobile broadband is even worse.

"What makes it worse is that a company such as T-Mobile, advertising a more realistic 'up to' speed on its mobile broadband products of 4.5Mb, may be seen by many consumers as slower than 3 or Vodafone, when our speed test results show that, on average, it is quicker. It's ludicrous.

"The next generation of mobile broadband can't come soon enough, but with the spectrum auction planned for the end of 2011, we'll be stuck with 3G for a good while yet. If the mobile broadband suppliers aren't going to bother to make serious improvements to their 3G networks in terms of average speeds, they should at least bring their advertising in line with reality.

"Mobile broadband is a great product, which sells on it's merits - it doesn't need to be over sold. We can't speak for the whole market but at Broadband Genie interest in everything from dongles to 3G laptops is as strong as it has ever been.

"Let us hope that this time next year, we will be reporting improved mobile broadband speeds, more realistic advertising, and the dawn of 4G speeds that will really take this technology to the next level."

The statistics were drawn from thousands of speed tests taken through its website, via software designed specifically for the mobile internet by Think Broadband.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk

2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling at Broadband Genie: [email protected]

SOURCE Broadband Genie

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