The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its latest Measuring Broadband Australia report, revealing the real-world performance of broadband plans across the country.
The report, prepared by independent testing provider SamKnows, covers data collected from 1 March to 7 April 2024, providing valuable insights into how different providers perform, particularly during busy evening hours.
Telstra Leads the Pack
Telstra has emerged as the top performer in the latest report, achieving the highest percentage of advertised NBN plan speeds during busy hours (7-11 pm, Monday to Friday).
This period is critical as it represents the peak time for internet usage, and performance during these hours can significantly impact user experience.
There is nothing worse, than getting home after a long day at work, and you encounter streaming issues for your favourite show!
According to the ACCC, Telstra consistently delivered 100.7% of its plan speeds during the busiest hours of the day, whilst 5G Kings Optus were in a strong 2nd position.
Dodo, iPrimus, and iiNet Fall Short
On the other end of the spectrum, Dodo, iPrimus, and iiNet were the lowest performers in terms of achieving advertised speeds during busy hours.
These providers didn't meet their speed claims, with a portion of their services classified as underperforming.
Specifically, the report indicated that these providers delivered less than 90% of their advertised speeds during peak usage times, whilst other providers were at 95% or more.
Impact on Consumer Choice
The ACCC's Measuring Broadband Australia program aims to provide consumers with transparent and independent information about broadband performance, helping them make informed decisions when selecting a provider.
The latest report highlights the disparities in performance among different providers, emphasizing the importance of considering real-world data over advertised speeds.
We went into the data, and the data is based on huge amount of participants, ranging into the tens of thousands.
Consumers looking for reliable and high-speed internet during peak hours are likely to gravitate towards providers like Telstra, which have proven their ability to deliver consistent performance.
On the other hand, the underperformance of Dodo, iPrimus, and iiNet during the busiest hours serves as a cautionary tale for those prioritizing speed and reliability.
