Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats

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Sign up so rural Wales no longer bears burden of second class internet service - Mick Bates AM

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Apr 2010

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates urges internet users to sign up to research by Ofcom and SamKnows, which aims to provide consumers with the first real picture of UK internet speeds, to help identify broadband black-spots across Wales.

After the initial round of testing in 2009 by Ofcom and SamKnows, the research programme - which has so far involved over 60 million separate service performance tests in over 1600 homes - is now being extended for the next two years. Technical partner SamKnows is looking for volunteers to take part in its pioneering broadband speed research.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates states:

"It has long been the case, particularly in rural areas, that we cannot receive the same speed of broadband that is so often advertised, but we must not sit back and bear the burden of a second class service any longer.

"Last year research by Ofcom and SamKnows confirmed that actual broadband speeds are significantly lower than the advertised speeds. For instance, the average 'up to' headline speed in April 2009 was 7.1 megabits per second but the average speed found from the research was actually 4.1mbit/s, which is significantly lower.

"I am pleased that work is being done to expose the more accurate statistics on the actual performance of internet speeds. It is not fair for consumers to be misled by headline speeds which they cannot actually receive, particularly in rural Wales where often individuals and businesses can't get an internet connection at all.

"I urge people to sign up and take part in this research, which can help to identify the inadequate internet in your area and help to bridge the digital divide, by bringing our broadband infrastructure across Wales up to speed."

If you're interested in joining Ofcom's broadband speeds research, visit the SamKnows website to register your interest:

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/pm/signup.html

Notes:

More information can be found online: http://www.samknows.com/broadband/pm/signup.html

Ends/Diwedd

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