nbn speeds nearing maximum during peak periods

The ACCC has published the first results from its broadband sped testing program, indicating that nbn broadband services from major providers are delivering closer to peak speeds than expected during evening peak times.

The report found that nbn services provided by Optus, Telstra, iiNet and TPG are delivering between 80% and 90.7% of the maximum plan speeds during the peak traffic hours of 7 pm to 11 pm.

TPG was the closest to the maximum, at 90.7% of peak speeds, followed by iiNet at 88.6%, Telstra at 88.1% and Optus at 80.7%.

“These first test results are better than expected, and indicate the majority of internet service providers are now delivering very close to their maximum plan speeds,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.

But the report also found that 5% of services tested operated at less than 50% of their maximum plan’s speeds.

Average speeds were also weighed down by FTTN connections that could not support the maximum plan speed advertised, a situation the ACCC is addressing after securing court enforceable undertakings from eight nbn providers to refund consumers and downgrade plans to speeds the infrastructure is capable of achieving.

The report also shows that the nbn is outperforming ADSL connections in terms of the ability to deliver on maximum speeds during busy periods — the average download speed of a 12 Mbps ADSL connection during this time is just 7.99 Mbps.

Communications Alliance, the industry body representing Australia's telecoms operators, has welcomed the findings of the report.

CEO John Stanton said, “nbn and internet service providers have been working hard and cooperatively on a range of fronts — technical, operational, customer care and financial — to deliver a high-quality broadband experience to Australian consumers.

“While it is important not to read too much into this first set of results, the generally positive report card from the regulator shows that industry’s efforts are bearing fruit. We understand that customer concerns remain in relation to some services and that more challenges will need to be met, but we are pleased to see this evidence-based report showing excellent delivery of speeds across the largest ISPs.”

Image courtesy nbn co.

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