The average broadband connection in the UK runs at a speed of 3.6Mbps, even though the average potential speed of UK broadband lines is 4.3Mbps, according to a report from Ofcom.
Following on from the introduction of a code of practice governing how broadband speeds are communicated to customers, Ofcom has now highlighted the differences between the speeds actually being experienced by surfers in comparison to advertised speeds.
Ofcom's chief executive, Ed Richards said: "We want to see all ISPs meet the needs of their customers by clearly explaining what speeds they should expect and by ensuring that their networks meet consumers' increasing demand for higher speed broadband."
The news that broadband connections are significantly slower than the speeds they are advertised at will not come as a surprise to many.
Michael Phillips, product director at BroadbandChoices.co.uk said: "This reinforces what we've known for some time so the question is – what will Ofcom do with these findings to help drive change and champion the consumer's cause?"
Phillips suggested that an official method of measuring broadband speeds was required.
"Whilst Ofcom's panel-based findings are interesting, we would have preferred to see resources invested in establishing an official, independent speed measuring service to be made available to all consumers," he said.
"This would ensure that everyone could measure their own connection and then discuss their results with their ISP without the methodology and results simply being dismissed, as happens at present," Phillips continued.
James Parker, broadband manager at moneysupermarket.com, welcomed the report as it exposed the disparity between advertised speeds and actual speeds in the UK.
"This latest report from Ofcom still goes to show how little consumers get for their money," said Parker.
Over a 30-day period approximately 7,000 tests were run through monitoring units connected to around 1,500 homes' broadband routers.
The tests were run by Ofcom in association with broadband performance monitoring firm SamKnows and market research company GfK.
A separate report recently issued by Broadband.co.uk found that the average broadband speed in the UK was 3.667Mbps.
www.ofcom.org.uk www.samknows.com www.broadbandchoices.co.uk www.moneysupermarket.com www.broadband.co.uk 
Topic: 3.6Mbps is average UK broadband speed (Read 1908 times)