U.S. ISPs Deliver 82% to 114% of Advertised Speeds

In its new report on broadband access performance of 13 Internet service providers representing 86 percent of U.S. subscribers, the Federal Communicartions Commission found that actual download speeds are substantially closer to advertised speeds than was found in data from early 2009. 


On average, during peak periods, digital subscriber line services delivered download speeds that were 82 percent of advertised speeds, cable-based services delivered 93 percent of advertised speeds, and fiber-to-the-home services delivered 114 percent of advertised speeds. Verizon's FiOS average real-world speeds were actually higher than advertised speeds, both over a 24-hour period and during peak surfing hours. Other high-ranking ISPs include Comcast and Cox. 


During peak periods,  speeds decreased from 24-hour average speeds by 0.4 percent for fiber-to-the-home services, 5.5 percent for DSL-based services, and 7.3 percent for cable-based services.


Peak period download speeds varied from a high of 114 percent of advertised speed to a low of 54 percent of advertised speed.


Peak period performance results for upload speeds were similar to or better than those for download speeds. Upload speeds were not significantly affected during peak periods, showing an average decrease of only 0.7 percent from the 24-hour average speed.


On average, DSL-based services delivered 95 percent of advertised upload speeds, cable-based services delivered 108 percent, and fiber-to-the-home services delivered 112 percent.


Upload speeds among ISPs ranged from a low of 85 percent of advertised speed to a high of 125 percent of advertised speed.

The Free Press predictably chose to focus on the gaps.  "While the study indicates some providers are consistently delivering their customers the promised network speeds, it reveals that many providers are falling well short of their advertised claims." ISPs Fail to Deliver Advertised Broadband Speeds

On average, during peak periods, digital subscriber line services delivered download speeds that were 82 percent of advertised speeds, cable-based services delivered 93 percent of advertised speeds, and fiber-to-the-home services delivered 114 percent of advertised speeds.

During peak periods,  speeds decreased from 24-hour average speeds by 0.4 percent for fiber-to-the-home services, 5.5 percent for DSL-based services, and 7.3 percent for cable-based services. Read the report here.