Millions of broadband users in the UK face a common issue when trying to access the internet – online congestion, particularly during evening hours. This congestion occurs when multiple users are simultaneously streaming, downloading, or engaging in video calls, causing local networks to become overwhelmed and leading to a noticeable decrease in internet speeds.
Broadband performance can be likened to a motorway; the more users utilizing the network concurrently, the slower the speeds. Consequently, many households witness a significant drop in performance between 7pm and 11pm due to increased traffic.
A recent study by Broadband Genie has revealed the areas in the UK most impacted by peak-time slowdowns, with Wigan (WN1) topping the list. Users in this area experience a substantial decline in average download speeds from 167Mbps during off-peak hours to just 75Mbps in the evenings, equating to a 55% decrease.
Other regions heavily affected by evening congestion include Galashiels (TD1), Harrogate (HG1), Exeter (EX1), and Rochester (ME1).
The report highlighted that not all parts of the UK experience evening slowdowns, with some areas actually seeing an improvement in speeds. Newport ranked highest in the study, followed by Oxford, Glasgow, Blackburn, and Cambridge.
Broadband Genie emphasized the similarity between internet congestion and road traffic, noting that broadband networks can also experience congestion, leading to fluctuations in performance during peak hours. Wigan residents experienced the most significant drop in speeds, with a 55% decrease during busy periods.
Regional variations were also noted, with Scotland showing the most improvement in broadband performance during the evenings, while Wales and the East of England also performed well. In contrast, the South West experienced a 15% decrease in speeds during peak periods compared to daytime performance.
Experts suggest several ways households can enhance their home internet connection, such as placing the router in an open, central location away from obstructions to improve signal quality. Additionally, providers like Virgin Media recommend regular router reboots to address temporary network issues.