The German regulator has set minimum performance criteria for fixed broadband connections, as part of implementation of the EU's net neutrality rules. The EU regulation requires ISPs to provide more info on the minimum and maximum speeds available to customers. If they deviate too often from these, the customer can hold the company in breach of contract.
Following a consultation, the Bundesnetzagentur set the following criteria for determining a breach of service contract: the customer cannot reach at least 90 percent of the maximum agreed speed for at least two days, the speed falls short of the agreed minimum for at least two days, or the normally available speed is not reached in 90 percent of measurements.
The regulator will provide a software tool to help end-users measure their connection speeds, and the measurements must be conducted over a LAN (wired) connection. The networks agency said at least 20 measurements over two days must be made to consider a breach of contract.
