bassethound
15-03-11, 13:43
The UK's biggest internet service providers have agreed to a new traffic management transparency code, aimed at giving consumers more clarity about how ISPs manage broadband speeds to maintain network performance.
Sky, BT, O2, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone have signed up to the new voluntary commitment to "provide better and more easily comparable information to consumers about traffic management". When combined, these ISPs account for 90% of all fixed-line broadband consumers and 60% of all mobile customers in the UK.
The new code, drawn up by the Broadband Stakeholders Group (BSG), is designed to help consumers understand why ISPs sometimes need to slow down connection speeds on their networks.
However, critics claim that the practice of traffic management will ultimately lead to a "two-tier" internet, in which companies pay to secure faster access to their sites.
Antony Walker, chief executive of the BSG, said: "There has been more heat than light in the debate about traffic management over recent years. This commitment to provide clear and comparable information in a common format is very important.
"It will not only help to ensure consumers are better informed about the services they buy and use, but will also provide a clearer picture for policy makers of the way in which traffic management is actually used in the UK market."
The code comes at the time when UK and European regulators and policy makers are calling on ISPs to be more transparent about their traffic management policies.
In the event of a "managed" internet emerging that prioritises certain websites, the BSG said that the new code will help consumers and policy makers get access to clear and comparable information about the services ISPs are offering.
All signatory providers must release information about what traffic management techniques they use, as well as publish a Key Facts Indicator (KFI) table summarising the practices used for each of their broadband products. The KFI table must be made available on participating ISP websites by end of June.
Walker said: "Consumers need to be able to make informed choices about the services they buy and policy makers need to be able to make informed decisions about the policy and regulatory framework they set. This new commitment provides an essential building block for getting both of these things right."
Michael Phillips, product director at the Ofcom-accredited comparison site Broadbandchoices.co.uk, added: "It's important to tackle the confusion surrounding fair usage policies. The proposed KFI throws light on the facts by providing a rich bank of information on traffic management and download limits, ensuring households are in a stronger position to choose the right provider and package.
"We believe this will be an important tool to enhance consumer understanding of broadband packages, such as what fair usage policies mean in practice."
The code will be piloted in 2011 by the signatory ISPs, with a full implementation pencilled in for early 2012. Interested parties will be invited to give feedback during the pilot phase.
Sky, BT, O2, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone have signed up to the new voluntary commitment to "provide better and more easily comparable information to consumers about traffic management". When combined, these ISPs account for 90% of all fixed-line broadband consumers and 60% of all mobile customers in the UK.
The new code, drawn up by the Broadband Stakeholders Group (BSG), is designed to help consumers understand why ISPs sometimes need to slow down connection speeds on their networks.
However, critics claim that the practice of traffic management will ultimately lead to a "two-tier" internet, in which companies pay to secure faster access to their sites.
Antony Walker, chief executive of the BSG, said: "There has been more heat than light in the debate about traffic management over recent years. This commitment to provide clear and comparable information in a common format is very important.
"It will not only help to ensure consumers are better informed about the services they buy and use, but will also provide a clearer picture for policy makers of the way in which traffic management is actually used in the UK market."
The code comes at the time when UK and European regulators and policy makers are calling on ISPs to be more transparent about their traffic management policies.
In the event of a "managed" internet emerging that prioritises certain websites, the BSG said that the new code will help consumers and policy makers get access to clear and comparable information about the services ISPs are offering.
All signatory providers must release information about what traffic management techniques they use, as well as publish a Key Facts Indicator (KFI) table summarising the practices used for each of their broadband products. The KFI table must be made available on participating ISP websites by end of June.
Walker said: "Consumers need to be able to make informed choices about the services they buy and policy makers need to be able to make informed decisions about the policy and regulatory framework they set. This new commitment provides an essential building block for getting both of these things right."
Michael Phillips, product director at the Ofcom-accredited comparison site Broadbandchoices.co.uk, added: "It's important to tackle the confusion surrounding fair usage policies. The proposed KFI throws light on the facts by providing a rich bank of information on traffic management and download limits, ensuring households are in a stronger position to choose the right provider and package.
"We believe this will be an important tool to enhance consumer understanding of broadband packages, such as what fair usage policies mean in practice."
The code will be piloted in 2011 by the signatory ISPs, with a full implementation pencilled in for early 2012. Interested parties will be invited to give feedback during the pilot phase.