Broadband is reliable: ACA

Broadband users across Australia are receiving reliable high speed internet access, according to a study released by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA).

The study is the first to examine data rate reliability and service availability of existing broadband technologies including DSL, cable and satellite.

“Data rates were found to be very consistent, with each technology achieving around 80 percent of the relevant plan rate on average across Australia,” said Dr Bob Horton, acting ACA chairman.

Data rate consistency was backed by an estimated service availability of better than 99.7 percent across the country.

“Regional variations in performance were minimal with results for DSL showing very low levels of variability in download and upload data rates,” said Horton. “As expected, cable users achieved very high download and upload data rates, but with far greater levels of variation.”

The high levels of performance from the study are consistent with the low dissatisfaction result from an earlier ACA consumer satisfaction survey, according to a statement.

The ACA study aimed to examine the consistency of broadband services across the country and provide information for the government, service providers and consumers.

“The consistency of experience of broadband customers across technologies and in urban, rural and remote areas is a matter of considerable interest to policy makers,” said Horton.

The study was conducted for the ACA by Telco One using data from the online data rate testing tool, TCP/IQ Line Speed Meter. Results are from the period, July 2003 to June 2004.