Four studies show there is virtually no pattern or coherence in broadband markets across the EU. Consumers are also baffled by the varying information provided by operators, limiting their ability to make the choice that best suits them.

• Prices for the most common broadband connections can be up to four times higher in some Member States, even after a purchasing power is taken into account
• 66% of people do not know what Internet speed they have signed up for.
• Consumers only get 75% of the broadband speed they sign up for, on average

While successive waves of telecoms sector reform by the European Union have helped transform the way telecoms services are delivered in the EU, the sector still operates largely on the basis of 28 national markets. Both customers and operators face differing prices and rules.

The European Parliament next week will vote on the Commission’s plans for a Connected Continent which address these problems by offering consumers more transparency, more rights and better services.