Re: Why not pay for the speed you actually get?
Either the sync rate, or an averaged actual data rate?
In the case of sync speed because the cost to the provider is the same. Or, if there is any difference, it will be slightly more expensive to provide a service on a longer line due to higher transmission costs and statistically greater chance of a fault due to more cable involved. Since it costs the same for the provider charging pro-rata means they will either stop selling services to those on longer lines or else raise the prices for all resulting in those on shorter lines being overcharged, or choosing lower speeds.
As for average data throughput the problem there is how do you measure it? Data speeds can be affected by every hop along the path the traffic takes between the user's computer and the remote host. Average speeds could therefore be being dragged down by:
* Misconfigured computer.
* Old computer not able to keep up.
* Wifi issues.
* Cabinet issues (for xDSL, Fibre and Coax) (1)
* Head-end issues. (1)
* Backhaul issues. (1 & 2)
* Customer's ISP server issues. (3)
* Interconnect issues.(2)
Then any number of:
* Some other ISP's interconnect issue.
* Some other ISP's server issues.
* Some other ISP's backhaul issues.
And of course at the very end of the connection:
* Overloaded host.
* Badly configured or throttled host.
(1) - For coax (cable) this will be the responsibility of the customer's ISP. For other service types, they won't be.
(2) - The customer's ISP will have responsibility for some part of this, but probably not all of it.
(3) - The customer's ISP will have exclusive responsibility for these.
What this means is that it's impossible to place the blame for poor data throughput at your ISP's door. You might in some cases (when the host is on your ISP's network, perhaps) be able to moan that your ISP should pick better people to partner with. However even then your ISP may have no choice in the matter. All non-LLU xDSL connections are reliant on at least one of the BT group members to carry data at least part of the way, and all VDSL connections are reliant on openreach to get the data between the cabinet and head-end (the exchange).
And when all's said and done it's a service. The law does not require services to be fit for a purpose. The law only requires that the service provider not over charge, be upfront about limitations and make reasonable efforts to deliver the service.