Snap, Xtra and WorldXchange perform equal best in this speedtest comparison, which shows the performance of ISPs by time of day.  Slingshot and Vodafone need to improve.

Your internet connection's download speed (Speedtest) is important as it affects your viewing experience when watching videos.  Truenet performed Speedtest measurements throughout September, and found that some ISPs are probably short of capacity at peak periods.  Last time we reported that average Speedtest is independent of ISP, it being more dependent on the technology being used eg: ADSL, cable etc.  But when we drill down and look at how fast each ISP is delivering files during peak periods we find big differences in their performance.

Ideally, ISPs should be able to deliver the same speed at all times of day, otherwise when everybody wants to use the internet at times like noon or 8pm, performance will be slow and often too slow to watch video or use skype.

The following chart shows the performance as a percentage of the maximum Speedtest for each ISP for September. The chart is shown to demonstrate the range of speeds by Time of Day for each ISP.


  

Slingshot and Maxnet show large speedtest variations. Slingshot slows during early morning when their free off-peak period creates high demand and again in the evening peak when they slow down significantly. Maxnet speeds drop dramatically in the middle of the day, demonstrating their customer base is mostly business and they do not appear to have enough capacity for the lunchtime peak.

TrueNet prepared the following chart to provide a ranking.  In this chart the longer the line the better.  We included the same data as measured in December 2010 (the red line). Note, not all ISPs were measured in December when we were just starting measurements. 

  

 Snap, Xtra and WorldXchange are equal best with their minimum Speedtest result being 95% of their maximum result. 

One very big change is the improvement of WorldXchange.  From being dead last in December, they measured equal best in September.  

TelstraClear, which TrueNet announced a couple of weeks ago as having the fastest browsing experience, is now midpoint in this comparison having improved significantly in the last 9 months.

Some ISPs have a limited number of probes, and we have eliminated them from the Time of Day chart.  However, we have included them in the range chart because this measure is reliable on a single probe, where the result still represents over 500 measures per probe.