News19,135 Articles

November 25, 2009

65% of mobile broadband users on less than 1Mbps

Only 0.5% getting 3Mbps and above

Carrie-Ann Skinner

Two thirds of mobile broadband users are getting an average speed less than 1Mbps, says Broadband Genie.

The broadband comparison site conducted 3,000 speed tests up and revealed that just 16 (0.5 percent) managed a speed of 3Mbps or more, despite the fact that the majority of mobile broadband packages from operators including 3, O2, T-Mobile and Orange are advertised at 'up to' 3.6Mbps

Nearly two thirds (65 percent) of the tests achieved speed of lower than 1Mbps, with 39 percent of these managing below 0.5Mbps. A quarter of the speed tests achieved results between 1 and 2Mbps, while less than 7 percent were between 2 and 3Mbps.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: "Once again it would seem the mad rush to secure the early adopters has exceeded the ability of the product to live up to over-hyped expectations".

"Mobile broadband has proved invaluable to many users. People who struggle to get a fixed-line connection have really benefited, along with many others, but we are inundated with complaints from customers who feel they have been lied to, once again, by the mobile industry. These sales techniques, as well as the quality of customer service and tech support, really have to change."

See also: Mobile broadband provides 24% of headline speeds

Free whitepaper: Is social networking really bad for business?

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader


Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan
Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader comments

Latest reader comments


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


 Our RSS feeds

Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now