Broadband speed claims industry guidance

The ACCC has released a series of information papers to inform ISPs and companies advertising broadband and wireless internet services of their obligations under the Trade Practices Act 1974, now the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Act).

On 21 August 2017, the ACCC published guidance for retail service providers on how to advertise speeds for fixed-line broadband services, including clearly identifying typical peak speeds.

The guidance followed extensive consultation with network providers, retailers and consumer representatives and builds on the six principles that the ACCC published in February 2017.

On 23 May 2019, the ACCC published updated guidance to improve clarity, maintain currency, and apply to services supplied over fixed wireless networks.

In October 2020 the ACCC published further enhancements to the guidance after a public consultation following the introduction of products with higher maximum download and upload wholesale access speeds, as these had gained increased prominence in the communications sector.

In October 2022, the ACCC updated the guidance to improve retailers’ information about upload speeds and factors affecting the speeds of services on alternative fixed wireless networks.

The October 2022 version of the guidance replaces earlier versions of the guidance.