Australia: a broadband backwater?

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 17 February 2009 01:25

IT Industry - Market

And while mobile broadband speeds and prices might now be not far removed from those for ADSL services, Epitiro dos not see them as strong competition "The most indicative parameters of web browsing - HTTP download speed and DNS resolution time – reveal that most fixed line ISPs offer good service for surfing the net. Mobile broadband has much slower times perhaps making the service less desirable and not likely in competition (technically) where fixed line broadband is available."

Performance measurements were conducted using Epitiro's ISP-I network of newly installed satellite devices and software agents that connect to the Internet and perform automated test routines. The dataset used for the report was based on over six million tests from October 2008 to December 2008 and the testing process remains active.

"The report raises real concerns about both the actual levels of service being delivered to subscribers and Australia's connectivity to the rest of the world." Cranna, said. He added: "Independent analysis of broadband service will become increasingly important as regulatory bodies look to improve broadband nationally via the NBN, which risks moving the bottleneck onto international connectivity if considered in isolation."

He said that the variations between services were so great that consumers would be well advised to shop around. "It would be well worth them doing some research using the tool we provide or other tools." Epitiro offers a free application (Windows only) from www.isposure.com to help subscribers measure their actual broadband service levels.

Broadband CPE a weak link
However Cranna also flagged an often overlooked factor that can have a significant impact on broadband performance: the CPE. "The free broadband modem that is typically given away with a service is the worst thing you could use," he said. "It is not just the bit rate, it is [DNS] resolution times, and you can see a broadband modem perform far worse on any variable you care to name than a good broadband router."

All services monitored were in urban areas but Epitiro says it has committed to expanding monitoring coverage in urban and rural areas in 2009. Mobile, satellite and cable internet services are also being monitored and Epitiro will publish research data on these in 2009. The full Australian Internet Performance Index report can be downloaded from www.epitiro.com .