Broadband Genie Press Releases

3G or 4G? Three and EE scoop Road Trip awards from Broadband Genie and PC Advisor

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:58:18 +0000

BroadbandGenie.co.uk and PC Advisor magazine have announced Three, EE and T-Mobile were victorious in the fifth annual Broadband Genie Road Trip, a unique test which examines the performance of mobile broadband services on the move.

Working together on the Road Trip for the first time, the Broadband Genie and PC Advisor staff headed off for a few days in Edinburgh, travelling from London by train and testing the performance of UK mobile broadband networks EE, Globalgig, O2, Samba Mobile, Three, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Virgin Mobile throughout the return journey.

PC Advisor Editor Matt Egan said: "Testing mobile networks with Broadband Genie was a great experience for PC Advisor. The depth and quality of our precision testing was such that we feel we can with utter confidence judge the merits of the major mobile networks. And the results we garnered show that UK mobile broadband has come a long way.”

The 2013 Road Trip was the toughest and most comprehensive yet, putting the networks through a demanding set of tasks to discover which offered the best coverage and performance.

4G provider EE won the ‘Fastest Mobile Broadband’ award for its consistently impressive speeds, with an average downstream speed almost twice as fast as the next best provider.

But Three UK proved 3G mobile broadband was still in the fight. It was declared the overall winner for excelling with a combination of speed and stability, returning a top speed test result of 8.44Mb and successfully completing more than 80% of the tests. Also lauded was T-Mobile, which received a 'Recommended' award for its strong all-round performance.

“The 2013 Broadband Genie Road Trip revealed that mobile broadband is faster than ever before”, says Broadband Genie Editor Matt Powell. “We recorded the best speed test results of any Road Trip to date, and saw some excellent outcomes in the practical tasks.”

“However, several networks fell far short of offering the kind of experience consumers would expect of a mobile broadband service. And despite its huge popularity streaming media in particular continues to be a very unsatisfactory experience for travellers, so there’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure the UK’s mobile networks deliver on performance as well as value for money.”

The full Road Trip results are now available at BroadbandGenie.co.uk and PCAdvisor.co.uk, and will appear in print in the next issue of PC Advisor Magazine on 4th July. Videos of the event can also be found on the PC Advisor YouTube channel.

In addition to testing dongles, the teams also examined iPad, Android and Windows 8 tablets on the move, and pitted Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Phone smartphones against each other in a head-to-head challenge.

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk
2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Matt Powell at Broadband Genie:
m 07411 747 216 / editor@genieventures.co.uk

Don’t get caught out by the hidden costs of tablets this Christmas, says Broadband Genie

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:05:54 +0000

Tablets are set to be the hottest gift of Christmas 2012, but broadband and smartphone comparison site BroadbandGenie.co.uk is warning that consumers should shop carefully to avoid getting caught out by the extra costs of a tablet with mobile broadband.

Popular choices like the Apple iPad Mini, Google Nexus 7 and iPad with Retina Display include options for 3G mobile broadband, giving online access wherever there’s a network signal.

However this also entails additional data charges for the tablet’s SIM card, an important consideration when so many of the devices are heading into the hands of kids and students.

Gift-buyers will need to be particularly careful of contract tablet deals. These can be an easy way of picking up a pricey iPad for a relatively small initial outlay but they involve an ongoing commitment which can last as long as two years.

“Mobile broadband is a useful addition to any tablet, but also another drain on monthly outgoings”, says Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell. “Cash-strapped students in particular may find it hard to justify paying for both a tablet and mobile phone contract.”

“As an alternative, parents can consider a pay-as-you-go or 30-day SIM deal. While this will be more expensive up-front it means a tablet comes without the burden of a contract and makes it far easier for those on a tight budget to manage the data charges.”

Tablets can also be purchased without mobile broadband support of course, and provided it’s permitted by your network it is simple to use a smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot so you only need to pay for one mobile contract to get multiple devices online.

ENDS

The UK needs fibre to the home right now to stay competitive in the 21st Century

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:53:06 +0000

Britain risks being left far behind Europe and the rest of the world without immediate major investment in next generation communications infrastructure, says broadband comparison and review site BroadbandGenie.co.uk.

While many other countries enjoy widespread access to both fibre optic fixed line services and high-speed 4G mobile broadband, Britain is only just getting 4G in major cities and many parts of the country still suffer disappointing ADSL links with speeds of just a few megabits.

Ofcom data shows that while the average speed in an urban area is now 10.5Mb rural locations get just 3.5Mb.

Even where fibre is available it is largely fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) which relies on outdated copper telephone lines for the final run into homes, limiting the maximum speed. To ensure Britain has a telecommunications infrastructure which will be suitable well into the 21st century fibre to the home (FTTH) is required but there is reluctance from either the government or BT to invest.

“FTTC is certainly a welcome upgrade for anyone on ADSL,” says Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell, “most of us aren’t going to turn our noses up at a 76Mb connection. But it’s not going to be long before this proves insufficient.”

“We’re fully aware of the importance of the internet now so rather than trying to extend the life of a network which was never built for this purpose there should be a push to bring high speed connectivity to as much of the UK as possible using fibre so we can ensure this country is prepared to go to 1Gb and beyond. Anything less is short sighted.”

The fibre optic lobby group FTTH Council Europe recently reported that the UK has the worst FTTH coverage in Europe, with a tiny 0.05% of homes having access to the future-proof technology. In Amsterdam 500Mb fibre is available to homes while Copenhagen enjoys 250Mb links and Ireland’s Eirecom offers 150Mb. Looking outside of Europe, those living in Hong Kong can get 1Gb fibre to the home for around $40 USD a month.

The government’s BDUK project has been plagued by problems and BT’s fibre programme, while covering more homes than ever before, still leaves many areas stuck on ADSL. BT Infinity is currently providing a maximum 76Mb and Virgin Media cable internet customers can now get 120Mb in some locations.

Government targets call for a minimum of 24Mb ‘superfast’ broadband to be available for 90% of the UK by 2015 but this has been criticised by former BT CTO Peter Cochrane who says that this is “neither super nor is it fast.”

The only real progress has been made by small local firms such as Hull’s KC, Bournemouth’s Gigler and the London based Hyperoptic, who have created real superfast broadband using FTTH, often in areas which have been poorly served by the national network.

ENDS

Superfast mobile internet set to savage home broadband sales

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:04:31 +0000

Is the clock ticking on fixed line broadband providers? A poll carried out by Broadband Genie indicates that home broadband could be heavily impacted by a mass defection to high speed 4G mobile broadband when it’s introduced later this year.

The poll asked “Would you switch to 4G mobile broadband as a replacement for home broadband?”. More than 1,000 responded, of which almost 40% said they would drop their fixed-line service in favour of a fast mobile broadband provider.

17% said they had no plans to use 4G mobile broadband at all, while 45% stated they would stick with home broadband but also take advantage of the faster mobile speeds of a 4G network.

The results bode well for the future of mobile broadband in the UK. Everything Everywhere was recently given permission to establish the UK’s first 4G network to begin offering services by the end of 2012 and the spectrum auction for other providers is set to take place early next year.

“Britain is ready to join the rest of the world in enjoying mobile broadband that’s fast enough to be used as a primary internet service”, says Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell. “3G is past its use by date, a fast 4G network opens up all kinds of possibilities including the option of exchanging a landline and fixed connection for a mobile broadband dongle.”

But while mobile networks may be pleased to know that 4G is hotly anticipated, home broadband providers should take note. If they fail to invest in superfast broadband they run the risk of losing large numbers of customers to mobile alternatives which aren’t restricted by wires.

This is particularly true in areas which have so far been poorly served by traditional fixed line services. Companies wanting a share of the 800MHz band must agree to supply 98% of the UK with a 4G signal that can be received indoors by 2017. In comparison recent government targets are 90% fixed line access by 2015, leaving a window of opportunity for canny network operators.

Results: "Would you switch to fast 4G mobile broadband as a replacement for home broadband?"
Yes: 37.8%; No, I will not use 4G: 16.7%; I would use both: 45.4%

ENDS

Going to the games? Then leave your MiFi at home because 3G Wi-Fi is banned from London Olympics

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:12:35 +0000

Ticket holders for the London 2012 Olympics will be accustomed to some unusual rules but may still be surprised to learn of one restriction, as the organisers have banned the use of personal Wi-Fi devices within the Olympic park. Broadbandgenie.co.uk asks whether this is justified or another example of LOCOG setting policies to benefit its corporate partners.

Security is naturally a major concern for the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics and it’s no shock to see them going a little over the top in the name of safety but it is strange to discover “wireless access points and 3G hubs” on the prohibited list alongside firearms and toxic waste.

3G Wi-Fi dongles like the 3 MiFi provide mobile broadband access on the move but unlike USB dongles allow the connection to be shared with multiple devices over a short range wireless network, making them useful for families and those using tablets and iPads without built-in 3G support.

Smartphones can also provide a shared internet connection by enabling Wi-Fi tethering, and this too is prohibited at the Olympics: “smart devices such as Android phones, iPhone and tablets are permitted inside venues, but must not be used as wireless access points to connect multiple devices.”

A spokesperson said “LOCOG has undertaken the full coordination and management of frequency channels which are used to support critical Games operations. A personal/private wireless device being used as a 3G hub may cause interference on these channels.”

LOCOG was keen to point out that you are allowed to use Wi-Fi within the park, so long as it’s through BT, an official partner. “To facilitate internet access, BT are offering a range of Wi-Fi services across London as well and in nine Olympic venues including the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Velodrome. Public Wi-Fi is also available in all public areas of the Olympic Park.”

“The Olympic organisers have gone to extremes to protect the interests of commercial partners, it isn’t a stretch to suggest this is being done largely so visitors will have to pay for BT Wi-Fi”, says Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell. “It’s an unusual restriction and something likely to surprise many people who face the permanent loss of their Wi-Fi dongles, which can cost upwards of £100 each.”

BT Wi-Fi (previously called Openzone) is free for BT Internet customers and subscribers on some smartphone contracts but everyone else will have to buy vouchers which range from £5.99 for 90 minutes to £39 for 30 days access.

Anyone attending the Olympics may wish to make use of USB mobile broadband dongles to access the internet as a cheaper alternative to Wi-Fi. To assist visitors Broadband Genie has produced a guide to mobile broadband for those coming to the UK from abroad.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk
2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Matt Powell at Broadband Genie:
t 07411 747 216 / editor@broadbandgenie.co.uk

Three takes gold in Broadband Genie Road Trip Awards 2012

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:27:46 +0000

Mobile network Three is the proud winner of the Broadband Genie Road Trip award 2012. This coveted prize is awarded to the network which provides the best mobile broadband experience on the move.

The Broadband Genie Road Trip, now in its fourth year, was created to find out how mobile broadband actually performs in real-world conditions. Broadband Genie took six dongles on a 250 mile round trip by rail from Cambridge to Exeter, pitting them head to head in a series of challenges along the route which saw Three come out on top.

For the 2012 Road Trip Broadband Genie tested dongles from O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange, Virgin and Three. The challenges included speed tests using Broadband Genie’s own speed test tool, file downloads from the BBC and Download.com, streaming high-definition video from YouTube and Vimeo, and music from Spotify. The dongles were not only judged on pure speed but the stability and coverage offered by each network and quality of the dongle and software.

Mark Brewer, head of mobile broadband devices at Three said: “We’re thrilled Three’s premium dongle took out this unique Broadband Genie challenge. The premium dongle boasts network speeds of up to 40% faster than its competitors, making it the perfect companion for road trips.”

In addition to Three’s win, Broadband Genie also gave Road Trip Recommended awards to T-Mobile and Vodafone which both showed a strong performance, providing a steady connection which allowed them to complete a large number of the challenges and demonstrating impressive speed in downloading, uploading and speed tests. A T-Mobile spokesperson said “We plan to invest over £1.5bn in the next three years to further improve our network and introduce fast 4G LTE mobile broadband services.”

Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell said “The Broadband Genie Road Trip is about real results, not ideal conditions or laboratory testing. Consumers have certain expectations of how mobile broadband should perform and our aim is to show which providers best fulfil that promise. Three was the clear winner for the second year in a row, completing more tests than any other network with excellent speeds across the board.”

Links to details of the results and award images:
Winners
Analysis

Previous Road Trip winners: 2011 - Three; 2010 - T-Mobile; 2009 - Virgin Mobile.

ENDS

Consumer confusion at ‘max broadband speed’ fiasco

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:55:01 +0000

Despite trying to make broadband speeds fairer in advertising Ofcom and the ASA have inadvertently made things much more confusing for UK consumers, says Broadbandgenie.co.uk.

New rules which came into force on 1 April mean ISPs can no longer claim ‘up to’ speeds which cannot be achieved by at least 10% of customers. However the amendments have not had the intended effect and broadband customers are now faced with a confusing list of differing speed estimates for what amounts to the same product.

“In many cases the download speeds quoted are still far in excess of the rates a user is likely to see in practice”, says Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell. “While at the same time it hasn’t made things any clearer for someone who simply wants the best service for their money - in fact, it’s now worse.”

“Now when comparing broadband services we’re seeing a wider range of speeds, even when ISPs are using the same equipment. Postcode checks on an unbundled exchange result in varying estimates, some as high as 18Mb, but there’s no difference in the hardware at the exchange and in reality the line is not going to be faster than 8Mb.”

The latest Ofcom data shows the average broadband connection in the UK is just 7.6Mb, still much lower than the speeds advertised. ISPs do provide accurate line data before a customer signs up to a service, but it was broadband advertisement which had concerned Ofcom and the ASA previously, and the guidelines were an attempt at clamping down on misleading claims.

“The attempt by Ofcom and the ASA to fix the issue has only made things worse”, says Matt. “ISPs can hardly be blamed for stretching the rules to the limit to get an edge over their competitors, the fault lies with the regulators and it should not have been implemented without greater consideration of the impact upon consumers and the industry.”

ENDS

New ASA guidelines won’t prevent broadband speed disappointment, says Broadband Genie

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:55:19 +0000

Broadband comparison and review site Broadbandgenie.co.uk welcomes the new broadband advertising guidelines which came into effect on 1st April, but says further amendments are required to clarify broadband services for consumers.

Internet service providers have been told that they will no longer be permitted to advertise ‘up to’ speeds based on a theoretical maximum but must instead state a figure that is achieved by at least 10% of customers.

This may prove troublesome for many providers. According to data provided by Ofcom the median speed of an ADSL2+ connection advertised as ‘up to’ 20/24Mb is just 5Mb. The top 10% achieve only 14Mb while most subscribers get anything between 3Mb - 10Mb.

For unlimited broadband claims subscribers can no longer be hit with extra charges or have their service terminated for breaching a fair use limit, though providers are still permitted to employ traffic management to prioritise or slow traffic, which is often set to control specific uses such as file sharing and Skype voice calls.

Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell said: “From reviews and comments left on our site we know a vast number of broadband subscribers have been disappointed to find they receive a connection speed far slower than advertised so these new guidelines are a positive step, however by allowing ISPs to base figures on the top 10% of its customer base we are concerned a significant number will still be less than satisfied with the performance of their broadband service, which in many instances will continue to fall well below the advertised rate.”

“We’d prefer to see typical speed ranges used instead to provide a realistic indication of potential download speed based on the real-world performance of a large number of connections. This could help prevent broadband customers feeling like they have been misled and reduce the number of complaints ISPs receive about their services.”

ENDS

Less than 1 in 10 consumers interested in buying a budget tablet PC

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The latest poll results from Broadbandgenie.co.uk have revealed that just eight per cent of respondents intend to ‘definitely’ buy a budget tablet PC in 2012.

The poll asked, ‘Will you buy a tablet or iPad in 2012?’ Of more than 1,000 respondents, more than half either weren’t interested at all or already owned a tablet PC.

Some 16.5 per cent answered maybe, while 17.5 per cent intended to buy a top end tablet.

The result will be seen as another blow for makers of low-end Android tablets and cheaper models from other brands - particularly BlackBerry, which has just released an upgrade for its heavily discounted PlayBook tablet.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling commented: “We were quite surprised by the results at first, but in truth it makes sense when you put it in context of what’s available out there for UK consumers right now.

“While American consumers are enjoying feature rich low-end tablets such as the Nook and the Kindle Fire, we’re stuck with what are essentially over-priced, over-sized smartphones.

“While Apple is going great guns at the top-end with its iPads, very little is happening of interest at the budget price point as yet. While it’s great to see the BlackBerry PlayBook finally getting an OS upgrade, it could be too little too late.

“We can only hope Mobile World Congress brings us some new tablet PCs we can actually get excited about, as the fact almost half of those surveyed who don’t own a tablet said they were completely uninterested in buying one doesn’t make good reading for the industry.”

Results: Will you buy a tablet PC in 2012?
Yes, top end 17.5%; Yes, budget 8.5%; Maybe 16.5%; Definitely not 30%; Already own 27.5%

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk
2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling at Broadband Genie:
t 0844 415 5531 / f 0871 6618553 / m 07970 993973 / chris.marling@genieventures.co.uk

Samsung tops 2011 Broadband Genie smartphone sales charts

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:43:29 +0000

With just a week of the year to go, Samsung looks set to be 2011’s top UK smartphones manufacturer at leading comparison website Broadband Genie.

Samsung has held off stiff competition from HTC, with other contenders trailing in their wake. Broadband Genie MD Ciaron Dunne said: It’s been a great 2011 for both manufacturers.

"We’re recording around four sales by these two for every one for Apple, BlackBerry, Nokia and Sony Ericsson. LG and Motorola are a long way behind despite having some great handsets on the market.”

The Desire and Galaxy S brands took centre stage. The best individual handset in terms of sales tracked by Broadband Genie was the Samsung Galaxy S2, with the HTC Desire second, Samsung’s original Galaxy S third and the HTC Desire HD fourth. Between them, they took more than a third of the year’s tracked smartphone sales.

HTC had five models in the top 10 sellers, Samsung three, Apple and BlackBerry one. HTC’s Wildfire and Wildfire S budget smartphones performed strongly (seventh and eighth respectively), while the BlackBerry Torch 9800 proved popular with Broadband Genie users.

In terms of operating systems, it is no surprise that Android dominated. Smartphones powered by Android made up around 75 per cent of sales, with the Apple OS and BlackBerry OS taking around 10 per cent each. While showing promise, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 is yet to make much impact.

Broadband Genie compares thousands of web smartphone deals, both direct from mobile providers and from resellers. Pay as you go and SIM-free handset offers are available on sister site Mobile Phone Genie.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling added: “While our figures tend to mirror the global trend, our iPhone sales are far below them. We feel this is because many consumers buying Apple products tend to have their mind set on them from the beginning, rather than wanting to compare.”

“We often remind our visitors that older hero handsets can be a better buy than the latest budget releases, so it was good to see the likes of the HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy S still performing well 18 months after their release.”

Tracked smartphone sales by manufacturer
Samsung	33%
HTC	32%
BlackBerry	9%
Apple	9%
Nokia	7%
Sony Ericsson	7%

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk
2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling at Broadband Genie:
t 0844 415 5531 / f 0871 6618553 / m 07908 327303 / chris.marling@genieventures.co.uk
3. Due to commercial relationships we cannot reveal exact tracked sales figures.

Only one in five consumers ‘OK’ with their mobile broadband speeds

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

The latest poll from Broadband Genie has found that just 20 per cent of mobile broadband users are happy with their speeds.

Of more than 1,500 people polled, less than 100 (just 5.3 per cent) said they were definitely happy with their mobile broadband speed, with another 15.8 per cent saying it was ‘OK’.

A massive 56.8 per cent said they were unhappy, with the final 22 per cent saying they were unsure.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: “This is another damning indictment on the state of mobile broadband in the UK.

“While home broadband speeds have been racing forward, 3G mobile broadband has stood still – devices that were heralded as ‘up to’ 7.2Mb almost five years ago are still often averaging below 2Mb in reality.

“Consumers are increasingly unhappy about mobile broadband speeds because they are getting more and more out of their home broadband. They expect that experience to translate to their internet experience on the move – thanks to poor reception, frequent drop-outs and slow speeds, it simply isn’t even close.

“To make matters worse, Ofcom is dragging its heels over the 4G spectrum auction that should see things improve dramatically. A date still hasn’t been set, let alone one for when it will be handed over. Even optimistic best guesses put the auction in 2012; actual 4G mobile broadband services won’t be a reality until 2013.

“It’s a joke – especially when you consider there were complaints about the auction being put off as far back as early 2010, when the general election got in the way. Back then a Government spokesperson said it could reduce the likelihood of the auctions, ‘being held this year, or even before mid-2011’. Chance would’ve been a fine thing!”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk
2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling at Broadband Genie:
t 0844 415 5531 / f 0871 6618553 / m 07908 327303 / chris.marling@broadbandgenie.co.uk

UK mobile broadband speeds floundering as Olympics approach

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:00:27 +0000

With the Olympics just nine months away, the UK’s mobile broadband 3G speeds are still in the dark ages, says Broadbandgenie.co.uk – and things don’t look like improving in time.

Using data from thousands of speed tests run through its website, Broadband Genie has found that average mobile broadband speeds are still around 1-2Mb across the board for all of the UK’s leading providers. This shows a very small increase from last year’s figures, with only 3 mobile and O2 making significant speed gains (O2 being fastest overall at close to 2Mb).

UK mobile broadband companies have failed to realise the full potential of their 3G networks because much improved 4G technology is becoming available. But 4G networks require new spectrum to work in – the auction for which is being delayed by legal wrangling between Ofcom and the broadband providers. The delays mean any chance of 4G mobile broadband being in place for the Olympics has now gone, with late 2013 being a more realistic target.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: A 1-2Mb average is too slow to be able to stream video or use video chat reliably; downloading anything but small files, or do most kinds of online gaming – even if the service was consistent, which it rarely is. Tablets are exploding in popularity, but if you thought you’d be watching Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and the rest win medals while on the move, you can think again.

“It’s pathetic really. While the mobile broadband big boys play boardroom games with Ofcom, the UK’s businesses and consumers continue to get a sub-par mobile broadband experience. While everyone from America to Australia, including most of Europe, are getting on with auctions or even deploying the technology now, we’re still playing politics.

“The Olympics offered the perfect target date to get our 4G services up and running – just as Brazil is using the 2014 World Cup for the same purpose. Instead anyone coming here next year will find a fourth rate network, instead of a 4G one. And that’s before you even get onto the issue of capacity, which 3 Mobile has just announced is going to be an issue for it.

“While there are half-baked plans for public Wi-Fi, these are also in the throes of auction. These are being run by the London boroughs themselves and we can only hope they do not look to Ofcom and the mobile broadband suppliers for an example of how to do things.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Broadband Genie is the UK's leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in 2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk

2. All queries and interview requests should be directed to Chris Marling at Broadband Genie:t 0844 415 5531 / f 0871 6618553 / m 07908 327303 / chris.marling@genieventures.co.uk