For most broadband users there is some peace of mind knowing that they are covered, although voluntarily, by a code of practice from the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA).

But according to findings by The Register, customers who are supplied broadband by Orange are not covered by the code, which covers issues like data protection, honesty, and complaints procedures.

The confusion is that Orange are not an ISP in the traditional sense, and as their broadband product is part of a broadband/mobile bundle the broadband is a "free" addition to the mobile package and so not covered.
Orange are a member of the ISPA which throws things into even more confusion, customers are not covered even though their ISP is a member of the Association.

For the customer this is just another reason to be wary of so called 'free' broadband packages which seem to be giving the industry a bad name lately.
The 'Orange problem' is also shared by customers of TalkTalk, although Virgin Media, have said all its broadband customers are covered by the ISPA code of practice, regardless of what other services they take.