Update: another win! ASA rules against BT broadband speed claims

Hello, Malcolm – I know that you asked this question elsewhere and I’ve answered, but I just wanted to make sure that you’ve seen my reply. As you probably know, Which? works on issues that impact all consumers and we campaign to make people’s lives fairer, simpler and safer.

As with many charities, there’s some small cross over in some of the areas we campaign on. We don’t see this as a bad thing, often it takes a lot of voices in order to force change. While there are similarities between our broadband campaign and CAB’s, there are also some important differences. We have been working for over two years on the misleading ‘up to’ speed claims advertised by some providers, while CAB has been looking at unpacking prices for broadband since 2015.

We like to think we are unique in the way we campaign by putting our supporters in control, giving you the space to discuss the issues that matter to you, while providing important information and tools to help you exercise your rights. We’re always grateful to hear your views on how well we are doing this.

@ldeitz, thanks Lauren. I’ve been without broadband for a couple of days and just catching up so my replies may be out of order with others’ posts. I understand your point but mine was not to duplicate unnecessarily. Citizens Advice have, no doubt, a huge base of consumers to get information and complaints from; Which? also have a particular consumer base – 1 million subscribers and 40 000 Connect members to poll and seek information from. If both have the same objective – better speed information and clearer pricing – then i see little point in them doing it separately – unless they disagree on each others aims. A combined voice might be more effective than fragmented ones.

In just the same way, I want Which? to use the resources of other consumer organisations in Europe to spread the cost of testing so we get more information for less money – once again, why duplicate work that others do – it simply wastes scarce money.

Please elucidate John , what you mean is that my worst nightmare is going to take place . BT reduced to a shell , the last independent BRITISH company in this area . What have I warned about –US Hedge Companies owning it -off-shore companies US Big Banks , do you honestly believe Americans will run it better for the same price ? my prediction will come true -your fault broadband is slow ? -hundreds of $$$$ to call out engineer – British Telecom –THE END ! I have spent years on US websites watching what happens there and the vicious – profit first attitude , have you read years of US telecom complaints John -I have , watch prices go through the roof. Britain -no more . No wonder “our Nigel ” has got the nod+wink ” from The Donald to be US Ambassador to Britain. So ,tell me whom is going to cover Britain 100 % in FTTP ?? there are whole areas in the US with no phone /brioadband /cell-net , tell me its a joke ? please !

It’s not a joke Duncan. Openreach will own and operate the network and be responsible for extending fast fibre to as much of the UK as is practicable. BT will be a telecoms service provider, like several others. Openreach will be required to be even-handed to all service providers in rectifying faults and providing connexions. Subscribers will still have to contact their own service provider in the event of a fault or to upgrade their line.

I have not read anything about a change of ownership of BT and I don’t know how the break-up will be organised. Presumably the assets will be divided according to function and Openreach will be floated on the Stock Exchange for anyone to buy the shares.

I think Ofcom are responsible for ensuring that the FTTC roll-out takes place in accordance with government policy using the extra funds being made available.

Through its entry into broadcasting and mobile telephony BT will still be an enormous company; I suspect that Ofcom considered that its sheer size and peripheral activities were getting the better of it. It had been hoped that a voluntary separation would be agreed but BT was reluctant, Ofcom got impatient, and now a legal separation will be imposed, although there is still time for BT to reach a voluntary settlement with Ofcom.

And Openreach will be owned by —- Vodaphone which has massive US backers , big as they come look at the stocks+shares , so one more British company down the tubes , as I have been saying -UK ? – satrap of USA . BT too big ? yes in US BB eyes the very same people who have massive conglomerates running most of the western world . Never mind we always have the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace left thats a tourist industry. One more British utility will be US owned , prediction several years time a whole host of complaints about getting satisfaction from Openreach (UK) , branch of US BB.

Ofcom will separate a telephone service provider [BT] from a network utility company [O/r] and then let Vodafone take control? That wouldn’t make sense. There would be a conflict of interest and a further risk to competition.

Even the Americans arent stupid enough to sell off their telephone network . BT without its external infrastructure that you-me and all the British public paid for is not a telecommunications company in the real sense but just a switching station , he who controls the network is the real owner and it wont be the British public –SOLD -off your last pearl ! it does not take a genius to see what happened to all the other industries sold off after decades but this vital part of UK industry will end up in American hands , mark my words , it might be done subtly a bit at a time but in the end its ownership is heading “over the pond “.

Thanks, John. We’ve added an update on this to the convo that announced Ofcom’s plans in the summer: https://conversation.which.co.uk/technology/bt-openreach-ofcom-broadband-reforms/

It shows the priorities if its between – investors and “powerful ” people not a sign of the British public here who are getting a re-insurgence of 1980,s politics- sell of the State jewels –now where is my large portable radio phone to go with my Yuppie accessories , tell me what happens when we run out of things to sell off ? To me its a VERY dark day in Britain and by all accounts going to get worse –for the British public -RIP -BT hello BT (UK) branch office of Washington. Be careful what you wish for it might come true , so all you BT haters just wait a few years but dont complain if the new company makes life hard for the ordinary member of the public .