Tag: fixed broadband

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Mobile Syrup

Starlink offers faster download speeds in majority of provinces: report

Starlink has hit a milestone in Canada.

According to a recent analysis by Ookla, Starlink’s median download speed for the fourth quarter of 2021 pulled in front of fixed broadband download speeds.

The data, collected from Speedtest, showed the SpaceX company’s download speeds hit a median of 106.64Mbps. Comparatively, fixed broadband had speeds of 96.39Mbps.

Ookla’s Q3 analysis showed Starlink was trailing behind with download speeds of 84.55Mbps compared to 90.67Mbps for fixed broadband.

Image credit: Ookla

Starlink’s download speeds pulled ahead of fixed broadband in seven of the country’s ten provinces during the recent quarter. Download speeds from both sources were comparable in New Brunswick, and fixed broadband was faster in Alberta and B.C. The analysis notes that the two Western provinces have better access to fiber-to-the-home, connecting fiber directly to residences and businesses.

The company’s median upload speed is still trailing at 12.82Mbps compared to 21.66Mbps for fixed broadband. Starlink’s latency is also much higher at 55ms compared to 11 ms.

But the report notes Canada shouldn’t ignore the satellite operator.

“Starlink should be considered a viable option compared to fixed broadband in Canada, especially for rural consumers or those without access to fast fixed broadband options like fiber,” the report states.

Source: Ookla

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Mobile Syrup

Umlaut says Rogers offers fastest internet speeds in Canada

Toronto, Canada-September 29, 2020: Close up of Rogers sign on their headquarters building in Toronto. Rogers Communications Inc. is a Canadian communications and media company.

In its first-ever report focusing on fixed broadband in Canada, advisory firm Umlaut has given Rogers its top honour.

The telecom company is awarded “Best in Test” and has the fastest upload and download internet speeds.

Rogers received a score of 929 out of a possible 1000 points. Telus has 910 points and Bell 903.

It’s not clear entirely clear how Umlaut came to this decision given the way they collected information, according to the methodology section of their report.

“Crowd-data” was used to collect information that led to the certificate. The company “integrated background diagnosis processes into thousands of diverse Android apps” that collected real-world data on user experience. It’s unclear how this information was applicable to fixed broadband since the methodology seems to be focusing on mobile services.

The company notes no personal user data is collected.

Image credit: Umlaut

While Canada has several internet service providers, the Big Three were selected based on a number of factors, including the number of lines each provider has and geography.

It’s also worth noting other results looking at the best fixed broadband service in Canada had different results. Recent statistics from Ookla showed Shaw offered the fastest fixed broadband speeds in Canada and Rogers came in second.

Overall, many of the analyses Umlaut has done put Rogers in a positive light. In a report released in July 2021, Umlaut reported Rogers having the best network performance. Rogers was awarded the same distinction in 2020 as well.

This isn’t the first time a telecom giant has been told it’s the best in something year after year, as we’ve seen with Telus’ mobile success in Ookla’s reports. 

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Rogers

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Mobile Syrup

Starlink’s download speeds are slower than fixed broadband services: Ookla

BAYONNE, FRANCE – CIRCA JANUARY 2021: Starlink app on Apple iPhone screen. Starlink is a satellite internet constellation being constructed by SpaceX to provide satellite internet access.

Download speeds offered by satellite internet provider Starlink have decreased in Canada over the past couple of months, according to a new analysis by Ookla.

The company tracked the internet speeds of the SpaceX company through its Speedtest platform over the past three quarters.

Its analysis of Q3 shows download speeds have decreased compared to the last quarter in Canada. In comparison, the download speed of fixed broadband services increased.

Starlink’s download speed decreased to 84.55 Mbps in Q3 compared to 86.92 Mbp in Q2. Download speeds of fixed broadband increased to 90.67 Mbps, compared to 84.24 Mbps in Q2.

According to Ookla, this is expected as more customers subscribe to Starlink’s services, which launched in Canada last year.

The overall upload speed for Starlink was also slower compared to fixed broadband at 13.87 Mbps versus 20.67 Mbps.

Latency was one aspect that wasn’t overtaken. Starlink’s latency of 56 ms was higher than the 12ms offered by fixed broadband.

“Starlink is still a viable alternative to fixed broadband in Canada, especially for consumers without access to other options,” the post notes.

Ookla was able to gather enough data to examine the service in nine provinces. Starlink was faster in five provinces compared to fixed broadband services, including, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

Fixed broadband was faster in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. This was a change from Q2 reporting, as Ontario and Alberta were noted to have comparable speeds to fixed broadband.

Trends noted in Canada were similar to other parts of the world. In the U.S., for example, download speeds decreased from 97.23Mbps in Q2 to 87.25 Mbps in Q3.

Back in February, founder and CEO of SpaceX, Elon Mush, tweeted internet speeds for the company would reach 300 Mbps and latency would drop near 20ms this year. With 2021 nearing an end, it’s unclear if this will be achieved.

Image credit: ShutterStock

Source: Ookla