The Fastest Telcos and Cities in Australia for Broadband

Are you wondering if your internet is as fast as it could be? Naturally, internet speeds will vary by providers, and your region can make quite a difference too. Here’s how internet service compares among different companies and cities across Australia. 

Fastest companies

According to speed testing data from 2017 from Ookla, Optus was rated overall as the best fixed-line internet service provider in Australia. During peak-hour times, Telstra was rated as the best service provider, and for mobile data speeds, including during peak-hour, Telstra again was rated as the best service provider in Australia. 

For fixed-line broadband, Optus took the top spot overall in terms of who is the fastest provider, with an average upload of 8.48 Mbps and an average download speed of 24.12 Mbps. Following behind was Telstra (then TPG), iiNet, and iPrimus. 

The data also showed that during peak-hours (7-11 pm), Telstra performed the best, with average upload speeds of 7.70 and average download speeds of 21.96 Mbps. Telstra came out on top for speeds overall again for mobile, followed by Vodafone and then Optus. Telstra averaged upload speeds of 14.32 Mbps and averaged download speeds of 44.20 Mbps. 

Fastest regions

In terms of which cities got the fastest speeds, the data comprised by Ookla showed that Wollongong had the best fixed-line speeds in Australia overall, receiving a “speed score” of 94.31 out of 100 from the speed testing company. Speed score takes into account overall network performance for both download and upload speed.

The average upload speeds in Wollongong were 19.78 Mbps and average download speeds were 33.72 Mbps. ISP MyRepublic was designated as “fastest” in the area. Coming in next was Geelong with a speed score of 94.26, followed by the Gold Coast and Newcastle. 

In terms of world rating for fixed-line broadband, Australia was 56th globally. in the world for average download speeds overall with a speed score of 24.12 Mbps, between Guam and the United Arab Emirates. For average upload speeds, Australia was rated 73rd in the world with a speed score of 8.48 Mbps, between Croatia and Fiji.

Increasing your broadband speed

For starters, to increase your broadband speed, stop using the internet on other devices. If you have multiple downloads happening all at once, it will slow your internet down significantly. Instead, try limiting your access to one device at a time. 

Next, try to limit internet use during peak times. As mentioned earlier, peak hours in Australia are generally between 7 pm and 11 pm. Accessing the web outside this time frame will help to avoid buffering issues.

Lastly, consider upgrading your plan. This will give you faster download speeds, better streaming capabilities, and more bandwidth which can accommodate multiple devices. 

Should you opt for faster internet?

Fast internet relies on several factors to reach optimal speeds. If you decide to change internet providers on the same connection, it may not result in the faster speeds you’re hoping for. However, if your current plan has been poor for a while, at all times of the day, then making a switch to another internet provider may be worth a try to see if you can improve your internet speeds.

Currently, the best way to get faster internet is to wait until the National Broadband Network (NBN) comes to your area. At that point, you can upgrade to the quickest typical evening speed options available in your location. If you’ve already upgraded to the NBN and your current plan is not producing the speeds you desire, then opt for a faster speed tier which isn’t too much more expensive.
The best option in Australia for reliable, all-around fast internet is to get on the NBN. However, if you’re not on the NBN yet, it may be worth your while to work with what you already have and shop around for a better option.