New rules which came into force on 1 April mean ISPs can no longer claim ‘up to’ speeds which cannot be achieved by at least 10% of customers. However the amendments have not had the intended effect and broadband customers are now faced with a confusing list of differing speed estimates for what amounts to the same product.

“In many cases the download speeds quoted are still far in excess of the rates a user is likely to see in practice”, says Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell. “While at the same time it hasn’t made things any clearer for someone who simply wants the best service for their money – in fact, it’s now worse.”

“Now when comparing broadband services we’re seeing a wider range of speeds, even when ISPs are using the same equipment. Postcode checks on an unbundled exchange result in varying estimates, some as high as 18Mb, but there’s no difference in the hardware at the exchange and in reality the line is not going to be faster than 8Mb.”

The latest Ofcom data shows the average broadband connection in the UK is just 7.6Mb, still much lower than the speeds advertised. ISPs do provide accurate line data before a customer signs up to a service, but it was broadband advertisement which had concerned Ofcom and the ASA previously, and the guidelines were an attempt at clamping down on misleading claims.

“The attempt by Ofcom and the ASA to fix the issue has only made things worse”, says Matt. “ISPs can hardly be blamed for stretching the rules to the limit to get an edge over their competitors, the fault lies with the regulators and it should not have been implemented without greater consideration of the impact upon consumers and the industry.”

The poll asked, ‘Will you buy a tablet or iPad in 2012?’ Of more than 1,000 respondents, more than half either weren’t interested at all or already owned tablet PCs. Some 16.5 per cent answered maybe, while 17.5 per cent intended to buy a top end tablet.

The result will be seen as another blow for makers of low-end Android tablets and cheaper models from other brands – particularly BlackBerry, which has just released an upgrade for its heavily discounted PlayBook tablet.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling commented: “We were quite surprised by the results at first, but in truth it makes sense when you put it in context of what’s available out there for UK consumers right now.

“While American consumers are enjoying feature rich low-end tablets such as the Nook and the Kindle Fire, we’re stuck with what are essentially over-priced, over-sized smartphones.

“While Apple is going great guns at the top-end with its iPads, very little is happening of interest at the budget price point as yet. While it’s great to see the BlackBerry PlayBook finally getting an OS upgrade, it could be too little too late.

“We can only hope Mobile World Congress brings us some new tablet PCs we can actually get excited about, as the fact almost half of those polled who don’t own a tablet said they were completely uninterested in buying one doesn’t make good reading for the industry.”

Results: Will you buy a tablet PC in 2012?

• Yes, top end 17.5%
• Yes, budget 8.5%
• Maybe 16.5%
• Definitely not 30%
• Already own 27.5%

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Samsung has held off stiff competition from HTC, with other contenders trailing in their wake. Broadband Genie MD Ciaron Dunne said: It’s been a great 2011 for both manufacturers. We’re recording around four sales by these two for every one for Apple, BlackBerry, Nokia and Sony Ericsson. LG and Motorola are a long way behind despite having some great handsets on the market.”

The Desire and Galaxy S brands took centre stage. The best individual handset in terms of sales tracked by Broadband Genie was the Samsung Galaxy S2, with the HTC Desire second, Samsung’s original Galaxy S third and the HTC Desire HD fourth. Between them, they took more than a third of the year’s tracked smartphone sales.

HTC had five models in the top 10 sellers, Samsung three, Apple and BlackBerry one. HTC’s Wildfire and Wildfire S budget smartphones performed strongly (seventh and eighth respectively), while the BlackBerry Torch 9800 proved popular with Broadband Genie users.

In terms of operating systems, it is no surprise that Android dominated. Smartphones powered by Android made up around 75 per cent of sales, with the Apple OS and BlackBerry OS taking around 10 per cent each. While showing promise, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 is yet to make much impact.

Broadband Genie compares thousands of web smartphone deals, both direct from mobile providers and from resellers. Pay as you go and SIM-free handset offers are available on sister site Mobile Phone Genie.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling added: “While our figures tend to mirror the global trend, our iPhone sales are far below them. We feel this is because many consumers buying Apple products tend to have their mind set on them from the beginning, rather than wanting to compare.”

“We often remind our visitors that older hero handsets can be a better buy than the latest budget releases, so it was good to see the likes of the HTC Desire and Samsung Galaxy S still performing well 18 months after their release.”

Using data from thousands of speed tests run through its website, Broadband Genie has found that average mobile broadband speeds are still around 1-2Mb across the board for all of the UK’s leading providers. This shows a very small increase from last year’s figures, with only 3 mobile and O2 making significant speed gains (O2 being fastest overall at close to 2Mb).

UK mobile broadband companies have failed to realise the full potential of their 3G networks because much improved 4G technology is becoming available. But 4G networks require new spectrum to work in – the auction for which is being delayed by legal wrangling between Ofcom and the broadband suppliers. The delays mean any chance of 4G mobile broadband being in place for the Olympics has now gone, with late 2013 being a more realistic target.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: A 1-2Mb average is too slow to be able to stream video or use video chat reliably; downloading anything but small files, or do most kinds of online gaming – even if the service was consistent, which it rarely is. Tablets are exploding in popularity, but if you thought you’d be watching Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and the rest win medals while on the move, you can think again.

“It’s pathetic really. While the mobile broadband big boys play boardroom games with Ofcom, the UK’s businesses and consumers continue to get a sub-par mobile broadband experience. While everyone from America to Australia, including most of Europe, are getting on with auctions or even deploying the technology now, we’re still playing politics.

“The Olympics offered the perfect target date to get our 4G services up and running – just as Brazil is using the 2014 World Cup for the same purpose. Instead anyone coming here next year will find a fourth rate network, instead of a 4G one. And that’s before you even get onto the issue of capacity, which 3 Mobile has just announced is going to be an issue for it.

“While there are half-baked plans for public Wi-Fi, these are also in the throes of auction. These are being run by the London boroughs themselves and we can only hope they do not look to Ofcom and the mobile broadband suppliers for an example of how to do things.”

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As a result, we have decided to introduce a trial membership aimed at giving you a feel for our club and an opportunity to meet some of our members before deciding where to call home.

It can be a tough decision to decide where to play your golf for the next year. Especially when the majority of golf courses charge a big joining fee. So, to take the risk out of the decision we have introduced a trial membership full of benefits so you get an idea of how it feels to be a part of The Drift Golf Club. 

During your trial membership, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• 7 day unlimited golf with full playing rights for two months (i.e. no green fees)

• Benefit from full playing rights with no greenfees

• Make use of the practice facilities with unlimited range balls

• Get to know the friendly members and staff

• Have a FREE lesson with PGA Professional Sam Quirke

• Bring two guests free of charge with your inclusive guest passes

• Keep regular contact with the Membership Team to ensure you are making the most of your trial

• The opportunity to establish a handicap by completing 3 x handicap cards

 After your trial we are sure you will want to join us.

To take advantage of the trial membership contact Ben Beagley or Graeme McLeish on 01483 284641 or by emailing memberships@driftgolfclub.com

Drift GC

‘The Club of Choice’

Jonathan Connell, the Club’s Managing Director, commented; “It isessential that our Members’ see improvements in their Club each andevery year. In 2011 the main investment is the installation of thelatest, fully-automated, irrigation system.”

“Clearly with a golf club, the course is our first priority and allof the team at the Drift remain committed to its improvement anddevelopment. Not surprisingly the existing irrigation system, which is30 years old, struggled to cope with the exceptionally dry June & Julywe encountered in 2010 so we have chosen to do something proactiveabout it.”

Ben Beagley, The Drift’s newly appointed General Manager, said“I’m delighted to join the Drift Golf Club at such an excitingtime in the Clubs history. Work started just after Christmas toimprove the water storage capacity by enlarging some of the existinglakes and in March the irrigation contractor began the 16-weeks ofwork necessary to install what will be the latest state-of-the-artirrigation system to all greens, tees, approaches and, mostimportantly, the fairways.”

Background

In 2008 a strategic review of the Drift was undertaken by the KenBrown, Ken Moodie & John Nicholson partnership, which lead to the Club committing to a comprehensive development plan for the short, mediumand long term.

In the winter of 2008/09, the implementation of these exciting plansbegan with a significant improvement in the woodland management schemeand this was followed in the spring of 2009 with an overhaul of allexisting bunkers and the addition of several, strategically placed,new ones.

During the winter of 2009/2010, the Drift management focused itsattention on the tees with the consequence that new ones were addedand existing areas enlarged.

Innovative work continues unabated at the Drift and it is hardlysurprising that the Club remains extremely proud of its long-heldreputation for providing excellent greens the whole year round.

In addition to the comprehensive work that continues out on thecourse, significant improvements have also been made in the Clubhouse; improvements which include the changing rooms, furniture, fixtures andfittings plus an excellent upgrade to the patio area from where toenjoy a drink and watch the efforts of other golfers as they negotiatethe testing new group of bunkers that protect the 18th hole!

History

Once part of the Lord Onslow estate, the course was created in themid-70′s by Sir Henry Cotton and architect Robert Sandow. Thetree-lined par 73 course winds its way through mature oak woodlands,with strategically placed water hazards and bunkers making accuracy apremium while at the same time providing a rewarding challenge for allstandards of play.

The Drift Golf Club is in East Horsley, Surrey (with easy access fromthe A3 and M25) where a warm-welcome awaits its members and guests asits friendly staff go about their business of providing enjoyable daysfor all members and guests.

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Mobile broadband roaming prices in the EU can still be very high, at anything up to £3 per MB, but the cap stops things getting out of control. Outside the EU, prices can go as high as £7.50 (T-Mobile) or £8 (Orange) per MB. As streaming YouTube videos is estimated to use around 130Mb per hour that could be more than £1,000 per hour!

Popular destinations such as the Caribbean, New Zealand, Turkey, Australia and India often into the most expensive zones for data, depending on which mobile operator you are with.

Broadband Genie editor Chris Marling said: “While their websites proclaim the EU cap as ‘great news for travellers’, many UK operators only impose it where they are forced to – in EU countries. Anyone travelling outside, even in the rest of Europe, needs to make themselves and their families aware of the very real possibility of bill shock.

“Internet use in the UK is taken for granted by many, especially as we have some very generous – even unlimited – data deals available, both on mobile broadband and home broadband. It’s hardly surprising that some travellers don’t consider the consequences of using the service abroad.

“We say it to our site visitors every year, but we really wish we didn’t have to – we see no reason why all the UK’s mobile operators haven’t done the honourable thing and applied the data roaming cap across all of their data roaming charges. If they don’t do it voluntarily, maybe it is time for Ofcom to step in.”