A broadband monitoring device which measures the performance quality of fibre-optic broadband services could be brought to the UK, according to reports.
Communications regulator Ofcom has started talks with Enex TestLab about a product which automatically measures and reports on network problems, the Australian company has said.
Enex TestLab, which is behind the eMetric system, said its hardware monitors issues such as latency, broadband load speeds, quality of service and remote network monitoring.
Korean and Japanese regulators have expressed an interest in using the device as well as Ofcom, said director Matt Tett.
"Until now, broadband users, particularly consumers, have been unable to access an accurate test facility that can independently test, analyse and report on their broadband performance.," he said.
Broadband reliability is a key gripe of broadband customers and there is a lack of quantitative data to objectively compare the reliability and quality of competing broadband packages. Though the majority of UK broadband providers are using DSL (copper wire based) broadband networks and could not therefore be included in the Enex TestLab broadband analysis.
The news seems to reinforce Government commitment to high-speed broadband, after business secretary Lord Mandelson announced a 'next generation' broadband fund to provide 90% of the country with fibre optic broadband cables two weeks ago.
