Mobile operators promise good behaviour

UK mobile broadband have agreed to be on their best behaviour, after signing up to a new code of practice.

The Mobile Broadband Group (MPG), which includes O2, Orange, TMobile, Vodafone and 3 as well as Virgin Mobile, has published its Principle of Good Practice document outlining the best ways and rules for marketing mobile broadband products.

It was drawn up with the help of Ofcom to ensure customers knew what they were getting when signing up with any of the above operators.

Hamish MacLeod, chair of the MBG, said: "Mobile broadband is proving very popular, as customers begin to appreciate the benefits of having ready access to so much information while on the move. It is in everyone's interest that market growth is based on customers being well informed about the choices they make."

Claudio Pollack, director of Consumer Policy for Ofcom, agreed and welcomed the MBG's announcement.

He said "Ofcom welcomes the mobile operators' commitment to give their customers better information about mobile broadband services. We will be undertaking further research and monitoring of mobile broadband to check that consumers' needs are being met."

The report comes just before the release of the Digital Britain report from Lord Carter later this month where some of the mobile operators have had their differences.

A spokesperson from 3 claimed their company had been working towards this code of practice for a long time and was pleased with the outcome.

The spokesperson said: "There are many factors affecting the speeds users experience with mobile broadband - building clutter and even leaves can have an impact. A big consideration when choosing mobile broadband is the reach of the network, the distance a user is from a mast and the capacity of the pipe that connects the mast to the internet."

"We have been working hard over the last year to make the issue of speeds clearer to the consumer and are pleased to have made some progress across the industry."