UK telecoms regulator enforces new broadband rules

Ofcom, the UK’s regulator for media and telecoms, has now started to enforce its new rules.

These rules will now only permit broadband internet service providers (ISP) to employ terminology such as “fibre” and “full fibre” on their company websites, and customer contracts, if the network they use can bring fibre optic cables directly to a business or residential premises.

To date, many UK ISPs have used the term “fibre” in describing a broad selection of internet connection technology. This has often included part-fibre and hybrid solutions that involve some copper cabling or wireless connectivity to cross the final distance and deliver access.

However, such solutions can be substantially slower and far less dependable than a modern full fibre to the premises (FTTP) service, which uses an optical fibre cable to deliver broadband all the way to enterprises and homes.

The use of inaccurate terms has created considerable conflicts between ISPs, network operators and business and domestic consumers alike for some time. However, the situation has worsened in the last few years with the rollout of Gigabit-capable broadband and FTTP connectivity gaining pace, and consumers questioning the quality of the service they pay for.

To ensure that ISPs now inform consumers correctly and provide full clarity on the type of broadband they will receive, Ofcom has now outlined new guidelines for small business and residential services to adhere to.

The new rules drafted by the UK regulator were officially introduced on Monday, September 16 and are now in force.