On Wednesday 20th January 2021 the BBC1 programme Rip Off Britain included a segment about slow broadband speeds and issues about getting out of broadband contracts.
Their resident tech expert David McClelland suggested people with broadband speed issues use a broadband speed test to check their speed, so as to be able to give reliable information about the speed of their broadband connection to their broadband suppliers.
David recommended using the broadband speed test on the Ofcom website or any of a number other speed testing apps. David also gave good advice like ensuring the computer running the speed test was on a wired ethernet connection to the router or if on WiFi then being in the same room as the router with a direct line of sight to the router.
The very high level of interest from the watching public resulted in the speed test on the Ofcom website having some problems under the load. This was commented on via social media platforms.
BroadbandUK also saw a three times increase in traffic on its broadband speed test site at the time the programme was being broadcast.
BroadbandUK is an independent hub of broadband information for consumers.
Websites include https://www.broadbandspeedtest.org.uk/ (which ran over 1.5 million broadband speed tests in 2020) and the only address level accurate broadband price comparison service in the UK https://www.broadbandproviders.co.uk/