Evening broadband speeds 'vary significantly'

The speed at which internet users can access broadband during peak times varies significantly from provider to provider, a new report has found.

In peak periods, loading speeds can be seriously affected as a large number of internet users are trying to access networks at the same time.

Statistics from Ofcom show that between 20:00 and 22:00, internet speeds operated at an average between 86 per cent and 96 per cent of their maximum capability.

The network provider with the highest varying speeds was Virgin Media, especially among consumers with the service's up to 120Mbits per second broadband package. These internet users experienced an average of 86 per cent of the maximum speed while downloading and uploading online content.

However, those with a fibre optic broadband connection were not affected quite as significantly, as the peak time download speed was found to be just four per cent below the maximum speed available.

In addition to this, Ofcom's report found that one in four households in the UK now enjoys a superfast fibre broadband connection, while the average speed of such services has increased significantly over the past few years.