Consumers are getting 22% faster fixed-line broadband speeds than they were a year ago but four in 10 customers could achieve much faster downloads at little extra cost if they switched packages, Ofcom has claimed.
New research by the regulator found that O2 was the fastest mobile operator providing fixed-line broadband, offering an average download range of between 8.8Mbps to 10.7Mbps. Orange offered an average range of 6.3Mbps to 8.1Mbps. The fastest service was Virgin Media, which offered speeds of 47.4Mbps to 48.8Mbps.
The average UK residential broadband speed was 7.6Mbps in November 2011, compared with 6.2Mbps in November and December 2010 and 6.8Mbps in May 2011.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: 'It is encouraging that speeds are increasing and that consumers have a real choice of broadband service. There is a real opportunity for consumers to look at the packages and deals in their area in order to receive the best value, speeds and performance available to them.'