Internet speeds ‘ better’

AUSTRALIA’S top consumer watchdog has released its long- awaited first report examining the broadband speeds of households across the country.

The results are “better than expected”, ACCC chairman Rod Sims said. But if you are having trouble, it’s probably pretty bad.

The report found peak- hour speeds are now only marginally below typical speeds at other times. It showed NBN broadband services from iiNet, Optus, Telstra and TPG are now delivering between 80 and just over 90 per cent of the maximum plan speeds in the busy hours of the evening.

“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,” Mr Sims said.

However the report also found five per cent of services tested operated at less than 50 per cent of their maximum plan speeds. So the small minority suffering from peak hour congestion are essentially sitting in a digital traffic jam.

When it came to peak- hour download speeds, the major providers were delivering upwards of 80 per cent of maximum speeds — iiNet was 88.6 per cent, Optus 80.7 per cent, Telstra 88.1 per cent and TPG came in at 90.7 per cent.

Earlier this year, the company behind the NBN changed its pricing structure to encourage retail providers to by more capacity.