Average broadband speed tops 5Mb/s

Posted on 3 Aug 2010 at 10:43

Connectivity specialist broadband.co.uk has released its monthly speed test statistics, revealing that the average UK broadband speed has passed the 5Mbit/sec mark for the first time.

The figures - calculated from the site's speed test facility, which allows individuals to check the real-world performance of their Internet connection - reveal that over the past year the average speed of broadband connections has been increasing as the roll-out of new technologies continues.

Edd Dawson, editor at the site, points out that "looking back to a year ago when the average speed was only 4.2Mbit/sec, we can see how far things have improved."

While real-world speeds have increased, the company's figures demonstrate that consumers are still being mislead by the use of "speeds up to" in advertising: with most ADSL-based broadband offerings being claimed as "up to 8Mbit/sec" - and some of the faster ADSL2+ providers such as Sky and Be offering "up to 20Mbit/sec" - the company's figures demonstrate that the vast majority of users never reach such speeds.

AOL is listed by the site as the slowest ISP, with an average download speed of just 2.68Mbit/sec, while Virgin Media tops the tables at 10.04Mbit/sec - double the national average - thanks largely to its 20Mbit/sec and 50Mbit/sec offerings.

The company also points out that, despite the improvements seen over the last year, the UK still lags behind its international competition in average broadband speeds - requiring more than triple its current average score to place in the top ten world-wide.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

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