Speed of mobile broadband half that of home connections
- — 08 April, 2010 16:45
According to consumer research group Broadband Expert, mobile broadband speeds in Australia are about half the average broadband speeds reached in homes.
The study analysed 1724 broadband speed tests conducted from July to December 2009. The average mobile broadband speed in the tests was 1.88 megabits per second, compared to 3.5Mbps for home broadband. Vodafone was the highest performing wireless Internet service provider (ISP), with average speeds clocked at 2.2mbps.
Rob Webber, Commercial Director of Broadband Expert, said that while mobile broadband speeds were not up to the standard of home broadband, they were still on the increase. "Mobile broadband is often used to browse Web sites and send e-mails when people don't have access to a fixed broadband connection," he said in a statement. "The average mobile broadband speeds currently being delivered are more than adequate for this type of use."
Webber also believes that mobile broadband isn't going to replace home broadband due to lower speeds and download limits. "Mobile broadband is less suitable for activities such as downloading or watching movies or online gaming. Until the introduction of 4G mobile broadband — the next generation of mobile broadband, which will enable much faster speeds — mobile broadband is only likely to be seen by most consumers as an addition to their home broadband rather than a replacement."
Optus was the second-highest performing provider with an average speed of 2.1Mbps, closely followed by Virgin Mobile, which clocked the same average download speed but a lower upload speed. Telstra BigPond was fourth with an average speed of 1.8Mbps and 3 Mobile rounded off the list at 1.2Mbps but had the most tests surveyed at 550kbps. Other providers were not listed as the study excluded those with less than 100 tests.
Comments
Wayne
Thu 08/04/2010 - 20:40
Perth now has 4g Mobile Broadband. About time perth gets something first
Paul
Thu 08/04/2010 - 20:48
You can't argue with the value for money if you don't have phone line, except if you choose Telstra. As said the speeds are fast enough for everything except downloading movies, YouTube works well.
Richard
Thu 08/04/2010 - 21:09
Are you serious 'consumer research group'? Advertising site...not research. It is a reseller channel to market.
Please do more than regurgitate press releases if you want us to keep reading.
Crystal
Fri 09/04/2010 - 10:46
This study isn't really comparing like with like. The target market for ADSL2+ is completely different to the market for mobile broadband.
Mobile broadband isn't for gamers or torrenters. Compared to ADSL1, pricewise, it's a great choice for light to medium users. Especially when you factor in line rental, as Naked still isn't available in many areas. Casual users aren't going to be the ones on 8MB or ADSL2+ connections, they're going to be the ones still using 512 or less. Compared to that, the speed of mobile broadband is a vast improvement.
Fair disclosure: I work at a telco.
steve
Sat 10/04/2010 - 09:17
You do not really have a choice. No copper line laid by Telstra, so no naked or adsl2+. I had to go for the 3G mobile wireless by Telstra. And it is very expensive too.
Its totally useless at peak periods. a normal adsl line would have taken it hands down.
That is how Telstra has got the country by the b*lls, especially for new estates coming up. Thanks to the government.
Scott
Thu 08/04/2010 - 18:04
3 Mobile is absolutely useless when it comes to Mobile Broadband. I'm lucky if i get dial up speeds with my USB dongle.
I ran a test the other day and got 0.042kbps
3 Mobile just give you a bunch of excuses about it being a high usage area. But if you can't keep up then don't sell the product advertising false speeds!