Dutch watchdog says many households may not need faster broadband

The Dutch consumer watchdog says many households may not need the faster broadband packages whose popularity is growing, and urges customers to check whether they are paying for more speed than they use. [1]

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) says providers’ sales pitches and online speed recommendations can steer customers towards faster subscriptions. It classifies packages offering 300 to 1,000 megabits per second, and those above 1,000 Mbps, as faster plans. Together, they account for about 46% of the market, according to the report. [1]

For many households, a connection of 50 to 100 Mbps is sufficient, the ACM says. It recently published draft rules on the information telecoms companies must give customers when a contract is nearing its end. Under the proposed rules, providers would have to point out a cheaper option if one is available in their own range. [1]