ACCC wants you to monitor the nbn

The ACCC is seeking volunteers for its broadband performance monitoring program, to measure the speeds of fixed-line nbn services at various times.

Under the program, hardware-based monitoring devices will be installed in around 4000 households over four years, starting with around 2000 volunteers for the first year.

The program aims to provide consumers with transparent, comparable information about typical broadband speeds and performance in various areas and at various times throughout the day.

ACCC Acting Chair Delia Rickard added that the program will help determine whether issues relating to poor speeds are the fault of the performance of the nbn or the network decisions made by the retail service providers servicing end users.

“The program will allow the ACCC to determine if issues are being caused by the performance of the nbn, or by ISPs not buying sufficient capacity,” she said.

“The ACCC is currently investigating examples of where ISPs may have misled consumers in relation to their broadband speeds and other issues related to consumer guarantees that may raise concerns under the Australian Consumer Law.”

Rickard added that Australians spend a combined $4 billion on fixed broadband services per year but many remain dissatisfied with services that don’t deliver the peak speeds advertised.

“The volunteers will be helping to produce accurate, transparent and comparable information about the quality and reliability of the fixed-line broadband services available in their area. This will lead to more competition and better value for money for broadband services,” she said.

“Speed information is a key ingredient for consumers, and consumers are entitled to expect accurate information about services they buy.”

The program was first announced in April, and will receive $7 million in federal funding over four years. Initial applications will be open until the end of July.

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