Frustration at the lack of internet speed in Selly Oak has been a recurring issue in recent years in an area where more than 12,000 residents – the vast majority of whom are students – are tightly packed into a small neighborhood over a two mile radius.
Now it seems as though connecting to the web on computers, laptops, and increasingly more on tablets and smartphones, could be exacerbating the problem.
The main concern lies in that students who have signed up to contracts with services like Virgin Media, who are the main provider in Selly Oak, are receiving speeds well below those that were advertised when they signed their current agreements.
Determined to do something about it, Kia Hunt, a second year student at the University of Birmingham started a facebook page and an online petition.
Speaking exclusively to Burn FM, she says she is pleasantly surprised that so many students appear to be experiencing the same situation and is eager to hold Virgin Media to account.
At the time of writing, Kia’s facebook page ‘Students unsatisfied with Virgin Media service’ had received over 700 likes, with the change.org site gaining 337 signatures out of a target of 500 which she aims to reach by December 15th.
Also keen to address student concerns on the issue, the Guild of Students responded last week by putting together a research survey that gives people the chance to calculate the difference in speed advertised versus the actual quality of connection received.
Interview with student and internet speed campaigner Kia Hunt by Burn Fm on Mixcloud
