Broadband speeds slower than advertised

Most broadband users in the UK are paying for speeds that they never receive, according to data released by Ofcom and price comparison site Uswitch.com.

The data reveals that businesses and individuals that pay for a premium service of 8 Megabit per second (Mbps) actually receive an average of just 3.9Mbps.

Nearly one fifth of UK broadband customers on an 8 bps connection actually receive less than 2Mbps and less than 9% of users received more than 6Mbps.

The slowest average broadband speeds were provided by Tiscali, followed by AOL and BT. The only mainstream service to achieve 8Mbps was Virgin - on a service that promises a maximum of 10Mbps.

"Considering the growing need that consumers have for faster high-speed internet access, as well the governments commitment to a more enhanced digital future in the UK, it is surprising that some ISPs have broadband speeds that do not exceed those found on some new generation mobile phones,” said Steve Everhard, Technology Director at Grant Thornton.