Australian competition regulator the ACCC is calling for volunteers for a new broadband speed monitoring program for the National Broadband Network (NBN).
The regulator aims to install hardware-based monitoring devices in around 4,000 households over four years to test typical speeds on fixed-line NBN services at various periods throughout the day.
An initial 2,000 households will be equipped with the devices in the first year of the program, which will be taking applications up until the end of July.
ACCC acting chair Delia Rickard said the program aims to generate information about the quality and reliability of the fixed-line broadband services available in volunteers' areas, improving competition and the accuracy of information available to consumers while making choices.
“Speed information is a key ingredient for consumers, and consumers are entitled to expect accurate information about services they buy. The program will allow the ACCC to determine if issues are being caused by the performance of the NBN, or by ISPs not buying sufficient capacity,” she said.
“The ACCC is currently investigating examples of where ISPs may have misled consumers in relation to their broadband speeds and other issues related to consumer guarantees that may raise concerns under the Australian Consumer Law.”
The current government announced in April that it will fund a new broadband performance monitoring program, to be conducted by the ACCC. The project has a projected budget of around A$7 million ($5.34 million).