Internet providers in the Netherlands have been told they must be more accurate about the speed of internet connections they are selling from January 1 next year.

In addition, providers may no longer advertise maximum speeds which are not actually achievable in practice, the Dutch competition and markets regulator ACM said on Monday.

The maximum and minimum upload and download times for fixed internet must be included in contracts and providers will also have to commit to a ‘normally available’ speed, which must be reached in eight of 10 times over a week. Estimated speeds will be acceptable for mobile internet.

The rule will first be applied to new contracts but from March will have to be included in all contracts for both the domestic and consumer market. The new rules stem from European legislation on net neutrality.