Broadband advertising rule changes are a win for consumers - Hamilton

Date published: 17 November 2016

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA has welcomed changes to advertising rules governing broadband providers.

Broadband advertising rule changes are a win for consumers - Hamilton
Broadband advertising rule changes are a win for consumers - Hamilton

The Advertising Standards Authority says current descriptions of broadband speeds "up to" a certain amount are confusing and will be changed in 2017.

Welcoming this development Simon Hamilton said:  “This is a good result for customers. I wrote to the Advertising Standards Authority earlier in the year to encourage that changes were made to the advertising rules. This is a further step to provide better information to consumers and is very much welcome. 

"Quality broadband access particularly in rural areas is hugely important and as a result we have invested significantly in the provision of fast and reliable services. Indeed, where speeds above 2mb are not available, we offer a subsidy for alternative technologies such as satellite or wireless.

"Broadband is vital to the growth of our economy. It is also an important enabler connecting people and opening opportunities. These factors are particularly prevalent to rural areas and, as a largely rural community, to Northern Ireland.”

Notes to editors: 

  1. Information about the Northern Ireland Better Broadband Scheme including the subsidy for alternative technologies is available on the  DfE website
  2. For media enquiries contact DFE Press Office on 028 9052 9604. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.
  3. Follow us on Twitter @Economy_NI

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