Broadband speed in Surrey is pathetic

About 87% of the internet users in Surrey struggle with low broadband speed, much lesser than the national average of 6.7 Mbps, which is the figure given by ‘uSwitch’.

At times, the speed is as low as 0.1 Mbps while the speed experienced on mobile handsets is not less than 1.5 Mbps, which is the speed necessary to open a webpage in about nine seconds, according to ‘Ofcom’, the telecommunication regulatory authority

While commercial establishments could get 5.3 Mbps, households had to be satisfied with 3.5 Mbps.

This information is gathered by the Surrey County Council during its survey about the availability of broadband in various parts of the county.

In general, a normal broadband service is expected to have 2 Mbps speed.

The county council is about to entrust the responsibility of providing super fast connectivity to about 20% of the premises, numbering almost 100,000, in Surrey to a dependable network service provider. These premises do not figure in the current broadband plans of ‘British Telecom’ (BT).

Surrey adds GBP 28 billion annually to the country’s gross wealth. Apart from London, Surrey contributes the largest revenue by way of taxes to the UK treasury.

Naturally, it is for the government to look into the basic communication requirements of the citizens of Surrey.

Surprisingly, in some parts of Surrey, a broadband speed as high as 100 Mbps is attained by which a normal music album can be downloaded in five seconds.

According to Peter Martin of the council, reliable and fast internet access is a part of life for everyone. But Surrey is still on a slow track.

Incidentally, the survey started in September of 2011 and lasted for about five months. More than 500 business establishments and 2800 households participated in it.