Tag Archives: WISPA

eXwavia backs no “up to” broadband charge campaign

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Wales-based ISP urges Government regulator Ofcom to look at current ‘up to’ charges to consumers as national campaign is launched by an ISP lobby group

“eXwavia has never marketed ‘up to’ speeds and never will – we charge customers for actual broadband speeds” – Annette Burgess, Managing Director, eXwavia.

A campaign lobbying Government regulator Ofcom to get Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to charge for actual instead of ‘up to’ broadband speeds has been backed by Wales-based wireless ISP eXwavia.

The company, which specialises in providing wireless broadband to rural communities in Wales, says consumers and businesses are being unjustly charged for slow broadband speeds – often at dial-up speeds in some rural areas – but charged at the same rates for consumers getting speeds of up to 20Mbps.

Wales-based ISP lobby group WISPA yesterday launched an online campaign to urge Ofcom to look at the charges made by ISPs providing ‘up to’ speeds.

“We’re very passionate about this as part of our strategy has been to never offer an ‘up to’ broadband speed. We simply offer speeds that we know we can deliver and that customers pay for,” said Annette.

“Many people are saying that the ‘up to’ charges are a fairer way for ISPs to charge as set speed charges will increase bills. That’s not the case. We have customers throughout rural Wales, including Anglesey and north Powys, who are paying for the speed they want – whether that’s 4Mbps, 20Mbps or 60Mbps – and are getting those speeds and happy to pay for them.”

She added: “The campaign launched by WISPA is raising a contentious but valid issue. But why should consumers or businesses pay for broadband speeds that they are just not getting? We have a host of customers who were paying major ISPs for up to 20Mbps but getting barely half a meg if that. Now they’re getting 4Mpbs and are happy to pay for it knowing they’re getting it.”

However, Annette stated: “I guess we should ask ourselves should be support a campaign that could get other ISPs offering a ‘pay for what you get’ model when we’ve been doing that all along. But yes, If it opens up a more transparent marketplace then we believe it’s the right thing to do.”

eXwavia is currently rolling out its wireless network to communities throughout Mid and North Wales.

The company, based at Welshpool, Powys, has recently invested in new links allowing it to break into new markets in Mid Wales, providing fast and reliable upload and download broadband speeds unlike conventional and satellite services targeting rural communities.

“We hope Ofcom take note of this fast-growing campaign and examine the current charges being made by ISPs,” added Annette.

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For more information, please contact:

Owain Betts, t: 01686 688008 / 07787 437052

e: Owain.Betts@ombpr.com / Skype: OwainBetts

www.exwavia.co.uk

 

Should we support the campaign to get ISPs to drop ‘up to’ broadband charges?

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Yesterday a campaign was launched to get Government regulator Ofcom to examine the current ‘up to’ broadband speed charges made by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) (see our previous blog post).But should eXwaviabe supporting such a campaign? After all, if more ISPs sign up to a ‘pay for your speed’ rather than an ‘up to’ speed then surely that means more competition for us?Well, despite this challenge we are supporting the campaign by WISPA because we are probably one of the only ISPs that has never had an ‘up to’ charge for broadband speeds – we’ve always charged customers for the speed they want – whether that’s 4Mbps or 60Mbps.The campaign launched by WISPA is raising a contentious but valid issue. Why should consumers or businesses pay for broadband speeds that they are just not getting? We have a host of customers who were paying major ISPs for up to 20Mbps but getting barely half a meg if that. Now they’re getting 4Mbps and are happy to pay for it knowing they’re getting it. You pay for what you get.

Anything that makes broadband services and associated charges transparent is good news for business and individuals.

So we’re happy to back WISPA’s ‘up to’ campaign as we believe it will make the broadband playing field much fairer and allow customers to find ISPs who can deliver fast and reliable internet to rural communities – like eXwavia. www.exwavia.co.uk.

Broadband ‘up to’ campaign makes sense – but eXwavia delivers the speeds customers want

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A campaign has been launched to pressurise Government communications regulator Ofcom to demand Internet Services Providers only charge customers for the broadband speed they get and not the ‘up to’ speed they “might” get.
We completely agree.
eXwavia is probably one of the only Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) in the UK not advertising or promoting ‘up to’ broadband speeds – we deliver the speeds we offer and our customers pay for the speed they want.The campaign by broadband lobby group WISPA makes sense. Too many ISP’s are advertising ‘up to’ speeds and many customers are led to believe that they will be able to get the top speed advertised.

ISP’s have already been warned by Ofcom that they must be clearer in their advertising of what speeds customers can get. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) has already drawn up a new code of practice that came into force this month stating that at least 10 per cent of customers should be able to receive the advertised speed.

Social media channels are already buzzing about the campaign. Serial entrepreneur and former BBC Dragon’s Den member Doug Richard (@dougrichard) has demonstrated his support by re-tweeting a link to the campaign site.

Here at eXwavia we are quite clear about our speeds. We only promote and advertise the speeds we can deliver and customers pay for what they want. Whether that’s 4Mbps or 60Mbps – there’s no ‘up to’ we deliver the speed that you pay for.

You can find out more about our speeds and prices at www.exwavia.co.uk or call 0845 884 8588.