Web users moan of sluggish internet speeds

Internet speeds have not slowed since millions of Britons started working from home, the latest figures show.  

Large swathes of the population are now relying on the internet more than ever as they self-isolate due to coronavirus which has killed 281 in the UK alone.

While internet providers including Vodafone and TalkTalk have reported an increase in internet traffic, this has not resulted in slower download speeds.

Internet speeds have not slowed since millions of Britons started working from home, the latest figures show (stock image)

The average download speed in the last seven days was 44.68 mbps, broadband.co.uk figures showed.

This figure is marginally more than the previous seven days’ average of 43.87 mbps.

A week in mid-February had results of 44.02 mbps.

A spokesman for the online broadband website said: ‘[The figure] confirms no negative change to the speeds people are getting despite the change in UK working arrangements.

‘So really the message is to keep calm and keep downloading, the broadband network can handle it!’ 

Vodafone, which offers both broadband and mobile internet, has reported a 30 per cent rise in internet traffic across both areas this week.

TalkTalk has had a 20 per cent rise in traffic since Monday, The Sun reports. 

In a bid to help with issues caused by increased demands, online gamers have been encouraged to play outside of working hours to avoid overloading the network (stock image)

In a bid to help with issues caused by increased demands, online gamers have been encouraged to play outside of working hours to avoid overloading the network (stock image)

In a bid to help with potential issues caused by increased demands, online gamers have been encouraged to play outside of working hours to avoid overloading the network.

Video games expert Rik Henderson told The Irish Examiner: ‘As we are all removing ourself from physical social interaction for the next 12 weeks, at least, online games can provide other forms of social contact and friendship without the risk of infection. 

‘Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone and the like will, therefore, no doubt become even more popular as isolation continues, but we do all need to be aware of the impact on our country’s network infrastructure and perhaps game at more reasonable times, in the evening, say, in order to avoid any impact on important services and work, as consumer internet connections are less robust than the usual business lines. 

The normal internet speed needed to check emails and browse the web is between 1 and 5 mbps but for online gaming this can jump to more than 200 mbps.   

YouTube followed Netflix in slashing video stream quality across Europe to stop the internet collapsing under the unprecedented usage

YouTube followed Netflix in slashing video stream quality across Europe to stop the internet collapsing under the unprecedented usage

Concerns about internet speed comes as YouTube, Amazon and Netflix all slashed video stream quality across Europe to stop the internet collapsing.

The move by the three platforms follows the recommendation of EU industry chief Thierry Breton that streaming services to temporarily lower their video quality.

Mr Breton reported spoke to both YouTube owner Alphabet’s CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki.

Earlier this week, all major mobile networks in the UK went down, the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to avoid all unnecessary travel.

People suddenly found they couldn’t make voice calls on their mobile phone and in some cases calls would cut out half way through.

The move by the platforms follows the recommendation of EU industry chief Thierry Breton, pictured, that streaming services temporarily lower their video quality

The move by the platforms follows the recommendation of EU industry chief Thierry Breton, pictured, that streaming services temporarily lower their video quality

The operators admitted there was a fault with equipment that linked them all together, meaning people couldn’t call between networks.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: ‘We’re working with major broadband and mobile firms to understand their ongoing plans for keeping networks resilient, and with the Government. 

‘Providers are constantly monitoring traffic on their networks and keeping us informed of the measures they’re taking to ensure to manage this effectively.’

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