Millions of internet users in the UK face a common issue when trying to access the web – online congestion. This problem typically arises during evening hours when households engage in activities like streaming movies, downloading files, and video calling, causing local networks to become overwhelmed and resulting in slower speeds.
Analogous to a motorway, broadband experiences slower speeds when more users are online simultaneously. This phenomenon often leads to a noticeable decline in performance between 7pm and 11pm.
A recent study conducted by Broadband Genie has revealed the UK regions most impacted by slowdowns during peak times, with Wigan (WN1) ranking at the top. Users in this area witness a significant drop in average download speeds from 167Mbps during off-peak hours to 75Mbps in the evening, marking a 55% decrease.
Other areas affected by evening congestion include Galashiels (TD1), Harrogate (HG1), Exeter (EX1), and Rochester (ME1).
Not all parts of the UK experience slowdowns in the evening. Some areas, like Newport, Oxford, Glasgow, Blackburn, and Cambridge, actually see improvements in internet speeds during peak hours.
Broadband Genie explained how internet networks can suffer congestion similar to roads, affecting broadband performance. The study, based on 144,509 broadband speed tests, identified locations where performance fluctuates the most during peak times, with Wigan showing the largest speed decrease of 55%.
Regional disparities were also highlighted in the report, with Scotland leading in improved broadband performance during evenings. Conversely, the South West experienced a 15% decrease in average speeds during peak periods compared to daytime performance.
Experts suggest various ways for households to enhance their home internet connection, such as placing routers centrally and away from obstacles for better signal quality. Providers like Virgin Media recommend regularly rebooting routers to resolve temporary network issues.