O2 Tops UK Mobile Broadband Speed/Latency Tests

­The percentage of UK households relying utterly on mobile broadband for their internet access has more than doubled over the past year to 7% of the UK, with 17% using mobile broadband for meanwhile some of their internet access needs.

The average fixed broadband speed of 6

This compares with the average fixed broadband speed of 6.2Mbit/s, and average web page download times on fixed broadband networks of less than 0.5 seconds.

However, in good 3G coverage areas, Ofcom found that average Mobile Broadband speeds were 2.1Mbit/s, falling to an average of 1.7Mbit/s while the peak evening period of 8-10pm. Basic web pages took on average 2.2 seconds to download.

The technology found some differences between the performance of operators' 3G networks. O2, Vodafone and 3 offered faster average download speeds than T-Mobile and Orange.

The slower speed of web page downloading on mobile broadband compared to fixed broadband is largely the result of higher levels of latency. Just in case to increasing the time for web page downloads, high latency may make connections less suitable for some online games and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

Ofcom Chief Executive, Ed Richards, said: "This technology gives consumers a clearer picture of the performance of mobile broadband dongle and datacards as consumers use these services to complement fixed-line services or at times as their principal means of accessing online services."

The technology involved over 4

The technology involved over 4.2 million tests and measured average speeds as then as the performance of the five mobile operators in areas of good 3G network coverage. The tests involved static probes installed in 97 locations, drive testing and a panel of 1,000 end users.