The ACCC is calling for internet providers to reveal the exact upload speeds customers can expect from their NBN services.
The consumer watchdog has released its latest review into the transparency of upload speed information, which argues: “Information about upload speeds has become less transparent since 2020. At the same time, upload speeds information has become more important to consumers who rely on upload speeds to undertake activities at home that were previously done in the workplace and place of education.”
ACCC says: It is important that consumers are provided with easy to understand information about the typical performance of the services they obtain, including any known limitations to the performance of those services.”
Currently, internet providers are only required to state the typical download speed of its plans, leaving the more important upload speeds out.
In addition, the watchdog explains that the NBN Co.’s introduction of a second NBN 100 tier in May, 2020, each with different upload speeds, has added to the confusion.
The ACCC is proposed that providers determine their four busiest hours for upload speeds “and use those hours to determine their busy hour upload speed claims using the existing Guidance testing methodology.”
This would provide internet providers “with discretion to tailor their claims according to the busiest upload periods recorded on their networks, while being consistent with existing Guidance on how to accurately test speeds.”
