Australian Broadband Data Demand: nbn records highest peak in data demand

• Australian Broadband Data Demand report highlights on the main nbn wholesale service:

o Weekly download throughput peak of 13.9 Terabits per second (Tbps) recorded on Wednesday, 29 April during the Evening Busy Hours

o Weekly upload throughput peak of 1.05Tbps recorded on Wednesday, 29 April during the Evening Busy Hours

Data demand on the nbn’s main wholesale access service recorded its highest ever peak throughput on Wednesday, 29 April as Australians continue to rely on the nbn™ access network for their work, study and entertainment needs during lockdown.

The new figures are revealed in the latest release of Australian Broadband Data Demand, a weekly report from nbn that shows the highest throughput recorded in a week during daytime business hours, early evening hours and busy evening hours.

For the week from Monday, 27 April to Sunday, 3 May, peak download throughput (the measure of data flowing through the nbn™ access network) during the busy evening period increased by 26 per cent to 13.9 terabits per second (Tbps) on the main nbn wholesale service, compared to the last week of February (which nbn measures as its normal pre-COVID-19 baseline).

The peak download throughput record coincided with the release of updates to a number of popular video games.

Downstream network usage

“Like many industries, the local gaming sector relies on the nbn and retail networks to help deliver their products to customers. NBN Co and participating internet retailers are well prepared for the release of future updates and patches,” said Brad Whitcomb, Chief Customer Officer – Residential at NBN Co.

For the week from Monday, 27 April, peak download throughout compared to the pre-COVID-19 baseline also increased during daytime business hours, up 32 per cent to 10.3Tbps, and during early evening hours, up 31 per cent to 12.9Tbps, on the main nbn wholesale service.

Compared to the pre-COVID-19 baseline, peak upload throughput on the main nbn wholesale service in the evening busy hours for the week beginning 27 April increased by 36 per cent to 1.05Tbps; peak upload throughput in the early evening hours increased 53 per cent to 1.04Tbps; and peak throughput during daytime business hours increased by 106 per cent to 1.03Tbps.

Upstream network usage

Downstream network usage over 24 hours

Upstream network usage over 24 hours

The increased data demand also coincides with the implementation of additional data measures agreed at the completion of the Wholesale Pricing Review 2019, which came into effect on 1 May 2020. These measures include increased wholesale data inclusions for most discount bundles (see notes to editor for table of additional capacity inclusions), a further reduction to wholesale entry-level broadband charges, and national pooling of CVC, which is designed to assist internet providers to procure capacity on a national basis.

“The changes that have come into effect this month demonstrate NBN Co’s ongoing commitment to creating value and ensuring all Australians have access to affordable, reliable broadband. This is more vital now than ever, as data demand continues to grow and Australians rely on the network to work, study and play,” Mr Whitcomb said.

The Australian Broadband Data Demand report is updated weekly on nbn’s Transparency dashboard at: www.nbn.com.au/updates

For tips on how to make the most of your nbn connection and to learn more on what NBN Co is doing to support Australia through COVID-19, please visit: www.nbnco.com.au/campaigns/covid-19