O2 outpaces broadband rivals

O2's broadband service provides download speeds over 50 per cent faster than other networks in the UK, according to a new study.

Research conducted by moneysupermarket.com shows that the mobile phone operator, via its ADSL2+ Be There subsidiary, offers an average speed of 5.39 Mbps to customers signed up for 8 Mbps broadband packages.

Sky was ranked second after it was found to have an average of 3.59 Mbps, while TalkTalk finished third with 2.99 Mbps.

O2 also leads the industry in terms of 16 Mbps and 20 Mbps packages, with an average speed of 8.15 Mbps.

Recent speed tests by broadband.co.uk show that ISPs are offering reduced speeds during peak evening hours.

Ed Dawson, spokesman for the site, said: "Some suppliers such as BE, O2 and Orange manage to keep average speeds high across all time periods suggesting a good level of network capacity.

"Others see their speeds drop quite significantly during the peak periods suggesting that they struggle with capacity."