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New studies reveal consumers face geographic lottery for broadband
04 April 2014
Europe's 400
million Internet users face a geographic lottery regarding the price, speed,
and range of choice of broadband, according to latest EU data release. Four
studies published show there is virtually no pattern or coherence in broadband
markets across the EU.
Consumers are also baffled by the varying information
provided by operators, limiting their ability to make the choice that best
suits them. Prices for the most common broadband connections can be up to four
times higher in some Member States, even after a purchasing power is taken into
account; 66% of people do not know what Internet speed they have signed up for;
and on average, consumers only get 75% of the broadband speed stated in their
contract. The European Parliament next week will vote on the Commission's plans
for a Connected Continent which address these problems by offering consumers
more transparency, more rights and better services.European Commission
Vice-President Neelie Kroes said: "While underlying networks are improving, the
gap between advertised and actual speeds is as wide as in 2012. This confirms
the need to strengthen and harmonise consumer rights as proposed in our
Connected Continent package. And it is time for companies to work together to
find better ways to advertise and explain their products. That's the reaction
to these findings that I am hoping for."
provided by operators, limiting their ability to make the choice that best
suits them. Prices for the most common broadband connections can be up to four
times higher in some Member States, even after a purchasing power is taken into
account; 66% of people do not know what Internet speed they have signed up for;
and on average, consumers only get 75% of the broadband speed stated in their
contract. The European Parliament next week will vote on the Commission's plans
for a Connected Continent which address these problems by offering consumers
more transparency, more rights and better services.European Commission
Vice-President Neelie Kroes said: "While underlying networks are improving, the
gap between advertised and actual speeds is as wide as in 2012. This confirms
the need to strengthen and harmonise consumer rights as proposed in our
Connected Continent package. And it is time for companies to work together to
find better ways to advertise and explain their products. That's the reaction
to these findings that I am hoping for."
