Trial version of high-speed Internet to be launched at the end of August

The Internet with testing, at least in terms of real connection speed, is provided by the new National Open Internet Regulation (EOI), which the National Postal and Telecommunications Commission (EETT) is implementing from the end of August.

Full implementation of the new EKAD with activation of rules, providing for mandatory and detailed information to subscribers about actual Internet speedsoffered to them by a fixed or mobile provider, will occur on August 26, 2024.

In particular from this date the so-called mandatory “pre-contractual informing of subscribers” about the true Internet connection speeds provided in each territory comes into forceConnections over fixed networks will have “minimum speed”, “usually available speed” and “maximum speed”, while connections over mobile networks will show “maximum speed”.

It means that subscribers will have the opportunity to see the actual speed of their connection before choosing an Internet package either in the store where they purchased the service package or in the area they are interested in (home, work, summer house, etc.).

In addition to Provisions to improve internet speed maps are expected to come into force on February 26, 2025, which are available to mobile phone companies. New “speed ranges” exceeding 100 Mbps will now be added to specific cards.

By creating new “dynamic speed maps”, the user will be able to virtually navigate across different regions of the country to get an immediate and complete picture of the internet speeds available there. Thus, he will decide whether to buy a service (for example, Internet television, teleconferencing, etc.) depending on the quality of the Internet that will be available in the area of ​​interest to him.

Also with the new EKAD there are improvements in the process checking subscriber complaints in order to better inform them. It is noted that new EKAD, which will be implemented on August 26, 2024provides for a complete ban on the use of differentiated payment practices by providers, with the exception of distance learning, speed measurement, balance updates, package updates and emergency services.

At the same time, EETT's Open Internet Report 2023 (covering the period from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024) recorded an increase in fixed-line internet speeds. In particular, EETT attributed this improvement to the increase in the number of users with high-speed connections. According to YPERION measurements, the average fixed-line downstream speed across the entire territory was 76.91 Mbps in 2023, compared to 47.94 Mbps in 2022 (an increase of 60.4%). Whereas, according to Ookla's Speedtest.net platform, the corresponding speed was 62.72 Mbps, compared to 44.27 Mbps in 2022 (an increase of 41.68%). In mobile networks, the growth is smaller (average download speed 111.26 Mbps versus 101.05 Mbps in 2022 – an increase of 10.1%).

However, the same report recorded “Abusive” actions of some telecommunications providers concerning the management of Internet traffic. In particular, a significant increase in internet speed regulation was detected after consuming a certain amount of data. In 2023, 39 such cutter programs were recorded, which also involved connections with unlimited data.

It is noted that since April 26, 2024, it has become mandatory to inform subscribers about exceeding 80% and 100% of the limits of correct use of the Internet. However, users are often not informed about this.

There has also been a significant increase in incidents involving domain name and IP blocking, mostly related to illegal gambling or intellectual property infringement. However, as mentioned in the report, a more complete picture of mobile networks will be available through scheduled subscriber access to the Speedtest Intelligence® platform over the next twelve months.

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