Biggest ISPs now performing the best

The biggest ISPs are now performing best, a new survey finds.

Independent testing company TrueNet, which has just landed a contract with the Commerce Commission, has released its lastest rankings for landline broadband, for February.

Using a network of volunteers, TrueNet measures the time taken to download a webpage from its NZ-based servers to probes throughout the country. Those ISPs with consistently quick load times take the lead in its ISP performance measurement, the company says.

"Best practice is now being achieved by three ISPs:TelstraClear DSL, Vodafone and Telecom. Snap is continuing to be the slowest," TrueNet said in a statement.

"This month Slingshot had some issues affecting many of their probes, resulting in a sudden slow down in its performance. Probes connected to Orcon have reduced performance again. ISPs that were equal to Orcon in November and December have maintained their peformance, and are now well ahead."

TelstraClear Cable in Wellington and Christchurch is, once again, significantly better at downloading TrueNet's test webpage than all other ISPs, Truenet said.

(Lower is better.)

TrueNet does not measure absolute speed for DSL (copper) connections, as the best speed is mostly dependent on the distance between your modem and the exchange equipment. ISPs cannot change this factor."

But it does measure each ISP's ability to maintain broadband speed during the evening - a peak internet traffic time.

"This month Vodafone and Telecom achieved the most consistent rankings, with both maintaining average performance at better than 95% of their best," TrueNet said.

"Snap was almost as good, maintaining 94% after last month being on a par with Telecom. The worst performers are far behind with one ISP showing the average speed slowing to less than 80% of its peak speed, suggesting severe congestion."

(Higher is better.)

NBR staff
Fri, 16 Mar 2012

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Biggest ISPs now performing the best - TrueNet