BIG welcomes House of Commons debate on broadband Universal Service Obligation

Proposals for a Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband speeds are to be debated in the House of Commons today. The USO would ensure that millions of British broadband customers would have the legal right to request minimum speeds of 10 Mbps by 2020.

Grant Shapps MP said, ‘This debate confirms BIG’s previous calls to ensure that broadband customers actually receive the speeds that they pay for. Internet service providers should not be getting away with charging exorbitant amounts for broadband services that don’t deliver.

‘This is why BIG is calling on Ofcom to consider proposals for a Universal Service Obligation for broadband speeds, and to recognise that this service is no longer a luxury but a utility.’

Previous BIG research has found that 5.7 million Britons have internet connections that do not reach the speed of 10 Mbps.