The Australian government has announced funding for a new broadband performance monitoring program aimed at improving the quality of information available to consumers while selecting a national broadband network (NBN) or other broadband service.
The program will be managed by Australian competition regulator the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
It will use hardware-based devices to perform remote testing of around 4,000 households to determine the typical speeds available on fixed line components of the NBN at various times throughout the day.
ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the program will also help determine whether any issues are being caused by the performance of the NBN itself, or of retail service providers using the national wholesale network to provide services are not buying enough capacity.
“As consumers drive the demand for high-data speeds and data-intensive services, they need access to accurate information to assist them in choosing plans. This improved transparency will help these consumers exercise choice as next generation services are rolled out, including on the NBN,” he said.
“The ACCC’s program will encourage ISPs to compete for business and tailor their products to meet the needs of their customers. It will also provide better consumer information – all of which is currently lacking in the Australian broadband market.”
ACCC plans to select a qualified testing provider and initiate the program in May. The regulator will start publishing comparative information for users in the second half of the year.