Broadband speed testing applications will not be able to cope with superfast services, it has been claimed.
Virgin Media plans to launch its own broadband speed testing programme, claiming that existing speed measurement applications cannot give accurate readings for superfast connections. The company said this could pose problems for internet service providers offering speeds above 20 megabits per second (mbps) to their customers.
According to research carried out by Virgin using a number of broadband speed testers, measurements on existing sites can be as much as 40 percent inaccurate. The broadband provider claims that once its own 50mpbs service is launched - and other companies roll out their own superfast products - discrepancies will be even wider because congested sites will be unable to cope.
"Customers increasingly rely on speed test comparisons to choose their broadband provider so we are working with speed test sites to help them accurately measure all broadband services, including our new superfast offerings," said Jon James, director of group strategy at Virgin Media.
The news comes as BT has announced details of its fibre optic broadband trial, which will bring speeds of up to 40mpbs to households and offices in London's Muswell Hill and Whitchurch in South Glamorgan. Beginning next summer, the pilot will involve around 15,000 home and business users in each area.
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