The ACCC's second Measuring Broadband Australia is out and there's some damning news for a large slab of customers. 7.4% of customers are only receiving speeds that are half of what they're paying for. And just seven in ten NBN customers received 90% of their maximum plan speed.
The regular report delivered by the ACCC uses devices installed by Sam Knows to collect data which is then collated and presented in the report.
Most of us accept that we won't receive 100% of the advertised performance all the time. there's network congestion to consider as well as other factors. But the numbers presented in the latest quarterly report are alarming. With about one in 12 people not receiving half of what they pay, it's clear some RSPs are shirking their responsibilities to customers.
As we've said before, the best way to deal with a troublesome RSP is to ditch them. That means not getting into a long-term contract when the NBN comes to your office or home. Go on a month-to-month deal, monitor the performance regualrly during both peak and off-peak times and ask your neighbours about their connection performance. There can be a significant difference in performance between RSPs even within the same operational area.
Anecdotally, I hear a lot of good things about Aussie Broadband from friends and through the comments of Lifehacker readers. And the ACCC's data supports that view.
Originally published in Lifehacker Australia on 31 July 2018: https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/07/accc-nbn-report-7-4-of-rsps-cant-deliver-on-half-of-what-they-promise/