Report shows broadband speeds dropping at end of 2011

Report shows broadband speeds dropping at end of 2011

A report by Akamai shows that broadband speeds in the UK have slowed down.

The average broadband speed endured by customers in the last three months of 2011 slowed to 4.9Mbps. A slow down of 3.5 per cent on the previous quarter's average speed of 5.1Mbps.

The firm, which delivers web content, said that the speed slowdown was worldwide: “The global average connection speed saw an unusual, and fairly significant, decline in the fourth quarter of 2011, dropping to 2.3Mbps. It was reflected in declines in eight of the top ten countries, as well as the US."

Akamai was also able to comment on previous research carried out about when broadband speeds drop off during the day. It explained that research done in November 2011 found that the peak usage time of between 7 and 9 in the evening resulted in speeds dropping off by as much as 35 per cent. Between 2 and 3 in the morning, however, speeds reached their peak as fewer people were online than a other times of the day.

Akamai offered an explanation of the drop-off in late 2011: “It may be the case that greater congestion at the last mile due to heavier usage occurred in the fourth quarter, driving down observed average connection speeds."

Firms that opt for ethernet first mile leased line services will find that they are not affected during times of heavy usage as they will have a dedicated line. Other services share cables and networks with other users, which means the broadband slows down during peak time, as explained by Akamai.

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