Rush hour slows internet speed by up to 69 per cent

A uSwitch study analysed data from two million broadband speed tests and revealed a huge variation in surfing speeds during peak and off-peak times.

Internet users face the slowest surfing time between 7pm and 9pm, when the average download speed drops by 35 per cent to 6.2Mb/s.

The early morning – around 2am and 3am – is the best time to be online, and users can expect a download speed of 9.6Mb/s.

Regional variation

The study also unveiled huge regional variations during peak and off-peak times. Internet users in Evesham, Worcestershire, experienced a 69 per cent drop, with speed falling from 15.5Mb/s in the morning to 4.9Mb/s in the evening.

This research may help to shed some light on why many bewildered consumers, who believe they’ve signed up to a certain broadband speed, never actually feel like their connection is fast enough. Ernest Doku, uSwitch

Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset saw a 64 per cent drop with off-peak times falling from 9.5Mb/s to 3.4Mb/s during peak hours. For users in Wadebridge, Cornwall, the off peak time is only 4.1Mb/s, and this halves to just 2.1Mb/s in the evening.

Maximum speed for the few

USwitch technology expert Ernest Doku said that few internet users are consistently enjoying the maximum headline broadband speeds that providers promise.

“This research may help to shed some light on why many bewildered consumers, who believe they’ve signed up to a certain broadband speed, never actually feel like their connection is fast enough,” he said

“Although providers are working hard to upgrade the UK’s broadband infrastructure, there is a long road ahead to ensure that everyone can enjoy a much more consistent service.”