South Australia’s internet speeds slowest in nation, new study reveals

DO you find Adelaide’s internet speeds incredibly slow? Well, you’re not just complaining for no reason. See how SA compares to the rest of the country.

Is this how Adelaide’s slow internet speeds make you feel?

INTERNET speeds in Adelaide are the worst in the country, according to a national survey released today.

Adelaide was ranked last of all major Australian cities for internet upload speeds while Darwin topped the list in the Australian Local Government Association’s State of the Regions report.

It reveals the average internet upload speed in Adelaide in the year to May was 1.6 megabits per second compared with 7.6Mbps in Darwin.

The report, by National Economics, stated Australian download speeds were about 10 to 15 times slower than world’s best practice, particularly in areas where the National Broadband Network has not been rolled out. It stated upload speeds could be up to 50 times slower.

“This is a very serious issue for established Australian industry and for start-ups alike,” the report stated.

“These very low upload speeds are turning Australia into a society of passive consumers of the internet rather than a country with active global participants in the development of web-based businesses.

“It is precisely in this area where many of the future business development opportunities lie. As Google points out, fast broadband speeds spur innovation with endless possibilities.”

National Economics executive director Dr Peter Brain, who will help launch the report in Canberra today, said Adelaide may be lagging behind because there was less demand.

He said that in order to become a “knowledge-based economy”, governments must invest now, adding: “If you want to change the structure of your economy you can’t afford wait, (faster internet) needs to be a priority.”

Recent figures show that 123,201 — less than 16 per cent — of SA homes and businesses have access to the NBN.

But only 53,330 fixed addresses have signed on. All of SA is expected to have some NBN technology by end-2019 — a year ahead of the national deadline. Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese said it was his growing belief that ultra-fast data speeds would transform the city.

He said Adelaide City Council was investigating an optic cable network that could provide internet speeds at least 10 times faster than the NBN and almost 100 times quicker than current broadband.

A report on the options for the network, its benefits and funding, should be finalised in September.

“The question is: what could this do for Adelaide? I think it could define Adelaide,” he said.

Average internet upload speed (Mbps)

Darwin — 7.6

Hobart — 5.3

Canberra — 4.6

Melbourne — 3.8

Sydney — 3.1

Brisbane — 2.3

Perth — 1.7

Adelaide — 1.6