Regulatory body Ofcom has released its latest figures for average fixed-line residential broadband speeds in the - showing a slight improvement as operators tout superfast speeds.
The 9.0 Mbps average shows that speeds have now increased by more than double compared to those seen at the start of Ofcom's research in November 2008. At that point the average was 3.6 Mbps.
According to the telecoms watchdog, speeds have also shown some improvement from the average this time last year, which was 6.8 Mbps. There are two reasons for the increases.
Firstly there have been more consumers signing up to 'super fast' packages from the likes of Virgin Media, which promises speeds of up to 60 Mbps. However, the average speeds for 'super fast' packages grew from only slightly, from 35.5Mbps in November 2011 to 35.8Mbps this May.
Despite this, the number of superfast broadband subscriptions grew to eight percent, up from five percent in November and two percent last May. At the lower end, the number of broadband packages offering up to 10Mbps grew from 48 percent a year ago, up to 68 percent this May.
Ofcom also thinks the increases are thanks to many customers receiving network upgrades from their internet service providers - generally at no cost to subscribers.
BT, for example, upgraded its ASDL network, while Virgin began work on doubling speeds for its top end broadband package.
However, Thinkbroadband co-founder John Hunt told TechEye that - athough the speed increases will be welcomed by customers - they are do not represent a massive leap forward.
"The increased speeds in Ofcom's research is somewhat attributable to the inclusion of super-fast broadband services in the average," Hunt said, "so the real increase is not as impressive."
"Upgrades by Openreach on older generation ADSL services also help to increase the figure," Hunt said. "The average speeds now more closely reflects the real world."
He also noted that the results do not necessarily take into account those in rural areas unable to get fast - let alone super-fast - connections.
"It is however, important to note it does not take into consideration the fact that there are still many users unable to get a decent broadband connection, struggling at the margins of online society, especially but not exclusively, in more rural areas," Hunt said.
"Those users will need to see significant improvements in the next three years if the government's promise to deliver the best broadband in Europe by 2015" is going to be met," he said.
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Ofcom is a publicised whore because this miscreant aims to be everything to everyone. A Paper Tiger which seemingly lacks a spine. This is because "Ofcom" is owned by those it is supposed to shadow. Every TD&H knows that, of course, but as the recent undressing of the UK Demoracy has revealed, this Jester is not only short on the truth but it is rather short on where it actually matters and all because Zer Chosen Vuns have been running the GB show since yonks but getting away with murder through "The Integration Factor". One reason why "Team GB" aims to integrate the wickedly overt into the mix in order to dilute the poison - that of tarring those at the bottom of the pyramid with the same brush.
What is wrong with TeamGB.Comms is what is wrong with Le Choseness, Count de Money first and last. Mr BT, Openreach, and whatever name this ogre spins with. Install a real human, oka conscience, into this RoboDosh and the ills of TGBC will soon be corrected. Yes, the now Rusting und Dribbling Vun had got it all wrong all along. You cannot have Greed without Fear. Not that the overly complex, oka The Stupido, is able to perceive/see the reality because the mesmerised lacks depth which it then makes up for with more width, just like a dog whose keen sense of smell is unable to overcome its deficit for discerning fragrance from filth. As per the norm, instead of using Truth which is to right the wrong of the few, the many are thoroughly fingered in an ongoing going to nowhere real sideshow - just to keep their Dumb satisfied that sump'fing is being done. "That's why eyes voted for that good guy, he's tall, dark and handsome too, slurp …….", and this is how they manage a country and its populace. Just give the idiotic-cum-lunatic a hole and some junk food and all will be AOK. Until the SS GB starts sinking, that is. Then, as always, it'll be too late but who cares so long as The Band is still playing as the rusting bucket is going under. And they bin this under, "Doing One's Best". At deception, that is, A Deception being the statement about its intended, oka the state of mesmerism of The Divided/Selfishness, and not about the messenger, the wickedness of The Established. Long live The Paper Tiger, the one who accomodates all who come in for a chitchat about The Wickedness of The Wicked.