Broadband users suffer slowdown during peak hours

Individuals surfing the web during peak times receive an average broadband speed almost half the rate available to them in early morning, according to a study.

Comparison site Broadband-Expert tested 72,000 connections and found that users between 02:00 and 03:00 typically achieved speeds of 4.2 Mbps, which drops to 2.5Mbps between 19:00 and 21:00.

Fluctuations in speed occur because internet service providers offer less bandwidth to individuals when their services are in high demand.

The largest differences in broadband speeds were experienced by subscribers to VirginMedia's cable broadband package, with peak time users suffering a 4 Mbps slowdown from a high of 9.1Mbs.

Broadband Expert's technical director William Harvey attributed this discrepancy to the "company's controversial traffic management policy where heavy broadband users have their speed restricted at peak times".

Meanwhile, ADSL2+ providers showed the smallest differences in speeds with a low of 6.4Mbs compared to 7.3Mbs between 02:00 and 03:00.