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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Broadband advert rule changes come into effect | Broadband advert rule changes come into effect |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| New rules forcing broadband firms to be clearer in adverts on the costs of their contracts have come into effect. | New rules forcing broadband firms to be clearer in adverts on the costs of their contracts have come into effect. |
| Broadband suppliers will now have to show upfront and monthly costs, without separating out line rental prices, according to the changes brought in by the Advertising Standards Authority. | Broadband suppliers will now have to show upfront and monthly costs, without separating out line rental prices, according to the changes brought in by the Advertising Standards Authority. |
| The rules were originally due to be implemented in May, but firms asked for more time to comply with the changes. | The rules were originally due to be implemented in May, but firms asked for more time to comply with the changes. |
| The ASA said customers were now much less likely to be misled. | |
| "The effect should be a real positive difference in how consumers understand and engage with ads for broadband services," said ASA chief executive Guy Parker. | "The effect should be a real positive difference in how consumers understand and engage with ads for broadband services," said ASA chief executive Guy Parker. |
| The move comes after research by the ASA, conducted with regulator Ofcom last year, found that most users could not correctly calculate bills based on the information given in a selection of broadband ads. | The move comes after research by the ASA, conducted with regulator Ofcom last year, found that most users could not correctly calculate bills based on the information given in a selection of broadband ads. |
| People were "likely to be confused and misled" by price claims in the adverts, the ASA found. | People were "likely to be confused and misled" by price claims in the adverts, the ASA found. |
| Geoff Roberts, from Northampton, told the BBC that he found broadband adverts "completely misleading". | |
| "What was advertised up front - when you really went into it - was nothing like what they were offering. The monthly amount was not clear." | |
| He was paying nearly £45 for his phone and broadband, but reduced that amount to £26.50 when he switched to another provider. | |
| To comply with the new rules, broadband providers will now have to: | To comply with the new rules, broadband providers will now have to: |
| Digital and Culture Minister Matt Hancock welcomed the ASA's move. | Digital and Culture Minister Matt Hancock welcomed the ASA's move. |
| "Making broadband providers show all-inclusive, upfront prices in their advertisements means consumers will be much better placed to make an informed choice when deciding on a service," he added. | "Making broadband providers show all-inclusive, upfront prices in their advertisements means consumers will be much better placed to make an informed choice when deciding on a service," he added. |
| Broadband speeds | Broadband speeds |
| Technology expert Chris Green told BBC Radio 5 live: "It's going to level the playing field, and make pricing more transparent. | Technology expert Chris Green told BBC Radio 5 live: "It's going to level the playing field, and make pricing more transparent. |
| "But mostly it's about providing a lot more clarity to customers." | "But mostly it's about providing a lot more clarity to customers." |
| However, there will be no change to the rules on the way providers are allowed to advertise the broadband speeds on offer. | However, there will be no change to the rules on the way providers are allowed to advertise the broadband speeds on offer. |
| "If a broadband company advertises a particular speed, actually only up to 10% of people need to get that speed, which a lot of people would say is quite misleading," said Steve Nowottny from Moneysavingexpert. | "If a broadband company advertises a particular speed, actually only up to 10% of people need to get that speed, which a lot of people would say is quite misleading," said Steve Nowottny from Moneysavingexpert. |
| One reason for that rule is that different customers will experience different speeds, according to how far they live from the telephone exchange. | One reason for that rule is that different customers will experience different speeds, according to how far they live from the telephone exchange. |
| Have you been confused by broadband advertising? Have you had problems calculating your broadband bill? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | Have you been confused by broadband advertising? Have you had problems calculating your broadband bill? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| ·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971 | ·WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971 |
| ·Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay | ·Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay |
| ·Send an SMS or MMS to +44 7624 800 100 | ·Send an SMS or MMS to +44 7624 800 100 |
| Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |