Broadband consumers in Ireland are paying nearly three times the EU average for services that rank poorly in delivering the speed promised by the subscription, according to Ookla’s latest Net Index report.

Ookla, a global leader in broadband testing, updated its Net Index on 25 November, ranking the download speed, upload speed, quality and value of broadband services worldwide.

In terms of download speed, Ireland’s 17Mbps ranked just above the global average of 16.2Mbps, while its average upload speed reached 4.16Mbps, some notches lower than the average 7.1Mbps.

The Household Value Index, calculating the median cost in US dollars per Mbps for broadband services around the world, set the global average at US$7.04, but the average in the EU is much lower at US$3.64. Ireland’s average, however, is almost triple that at US$9.49, ranking 48th globally.

Quality, but not the right quantity

Ookla also compares and ranks the download speed delivered compared to the download speed promised by internet service providers to generate the Household Promise Index. In this listing, Ireland ranks 62nd out of 64 countries with a median ratio of 64.03pc.

The EU average is much higher at 84.37pc, while broadband users in China and Hungary actually receive better-than-promised performance, with figures of 102.14pc and 100.9pc, respectively.

Where Ireland ranks highest is in the Household Quality Index. Based on millions of test results from Pingtest.net, this index compares and ranks consumer broadband quality measured as an R-Factor, the metrics used to measure call quality in VoIP with 94 to 80 being the most desirable range. Here, Ireland came in at No 13 with an R-Factor of 86.5, ahead of the global average of 84.67 and the EU average of 85.64.

Broadband cost image by Norebbo via Shutterstock