The Australian internet is currently ranked among the worst in the world. The average peak connection speed in Australia is only 74th in the world, with an average speed of 10 Mbps as of June 2018. As a result, many Australians are connecting to the Internet via mobile data instead of fixed broadband connections. Unfortunately, Australia also has some of the highest mobile data prices in the world. This poses a question: Why is Australian internet so bad? What are some of the contributing factors? How can this be improved? Keep reading to find out more!
Why Is Australian Internet So Bad?
There are a few reasons for this. One reason is that Australia is a large country, and it’s difficult to build and maintain the necessary infrastructure to provide high-quality, affordable internet access to everyone. Another reason is that the Australian government has been slow to invest in broadband infrastructure, and many people are still using outdated technology like dial-up internet. Finally, there are also some areas of Australia that are simply too rural or remote to get good coverage from any of the major telecommunications providers.
Why Is The Australian Internet So Slow?
1. Australia Is A Big Country
It’s difficult to build and maintain the necessary infrastructure to provide high-quality, affordable internet access to everyone.Australia’s geography makes it difficult for telecom companies to build and maintain high-speed broadband networks. It’s possible that this is also why we have some of the highest mobile data prices in the world. It might not seem like a big deal, but when you’re trying to get work done or do your research, it can be frustrating when your connection is slow and unreliable.
2. The Australian Government Has Been Slow To Invest In Broadband Infrastructure
The Australian government has also been slow to invest in broadband infrastructure. According to research conducted by the CSIRO, only 5% of households have access to fibre-optic connections at their home or business premises. This figure doesn’t include satellite connections, which are even less common than fibre-optic connections! Many people are still using outdated technology like dial-up internet.
3. A Lot Of Australians Live In Remote Areas
There are also a lot of Australians who live in remote areas too far away from the major telecommunications infrastructure providers to get good coverage. The CSIRO reported that around 74% of Australian households do not have access to fixed-line broadband. This figure is even lower for the rural and regional areas of Australia.
4. Australia’s Geography Makes It Difficult For Telecom Companies To Build And Maintain High-Speed Broadband Networks
Australia’s geography also makes it difficult for telecom companies to build and maintain high-speed broadband networks. It’s possible that this is also why we have some of the highest mobile data prices in the world. It might not seem like a big deal, but when you’re trying to get work done or do your research, it can be frustrating when your connection is slow and unreliable.
5. The Australian Government Has Been Slow To Invest In Broadband Infrastructure
The Australian government has also been slow to invest in broadband infrastructure. According to research conducted by the CSIRO, only 5% of households have access to fibre-optic connections at their home or business premises. This figure doesn’t include satellite connections, which are even less common than fibre-optic connections! Many people are still using outdated technology like dial-up internet.
6. A Lot Of Australians Live In Remote Areas
There are also a lot of Australians who live in remote areas too far away from the major telecommunications infrastructure providers to get good coverage. The CSIRO reported that around 74% of Australian households do not have access to fixed-line broadband. This figure is even lower for the rural and regional areas of Australia.
How To Improve Your Internet In Australia
Change Your Dns
Internet service providers in Australia often load their networks with various DNS servers. That way, they can keep tabs on which sites you’re visiting and how often, as well as throttle or prioritize your browsing experience. Unfortunately, these DNS servers can be poor quality, causing website issues, connection issues, and a poor browsing experience. One way to combat this is to use a third-party DNS service, like Google Public DNS, or OpenDNS. These services don’t log your browsing, and they’re often faster than ISP-provided DNS servers. You can change your DNS settings on your computer or router to use these, so all devices on your network will benefit. Just make sure to check which DNS servers work best with your specific ISP
Check For Wireless Compatibility Issues
Many people use Wi-Fi to transfer data around their home, and if you’re using an old router, there’s a chance it doesn’t support the latest wireless protocols. If you’re using 802.11n, you might notice a significant drop in speed and performance when using high-bandwidth services, like online gaming or streaming high-quality media. If you’re experiencing low speeds, frequent disconnections, and poor coverage in certain areas of your home, it could be because your router isn’t up to scratch. If you’re on an ISP-provided plan, you shouldn’t have to replace your router, but if you’re on an unlimited plan, investing in new equipment could be a good idea.
Confirm Your Isp Is At Fault
If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds, it could be that your ISP has too many customers connected to its network at one time. This can lead to reduced speeds for all customers connected to the network at the time, but it can be particularly frustrating for those who are on unlimited data plans and have no way to stop the frustration. Some ISPs offer a speed test service, but it’s not always accurate, so if you’re seeing reduced speeds, but your ISP speed test shows you’re getting the speeds you’re paying for, it could be an issue on your end.
Check Your Networking Equipment
If you’re using an old router, it could be the reason for your woes. Or, it could be that your router is just not compatible with the modem you’re using. If you’re not sure which router to use, check out our guide to the best routers for Australia. While the modem usually isn’t something you’ll upgrade, you can always replace your old or broken router with a new one. And if you’re concerned about compatibility issues, make sure that the modem and router are from the same manufacturer.
Try A New Isp
If you’re sure that your ISP is at fault and nothing you do resolves the issues, changing your ISP could be the answer. Depending on what type of plan you have, you may be able to cancel your contract and sign a new one with a different provider. It’s worth contacting your current ISP to see if they are willing to help you out. If you’re on a contract, you’ll have to pay a termination fee, which could be significant, so it’s worth weighing up the cost before you cancel.
Update Your Router’s Firmware
Like any other hardware in your home, routers go out of date and become less effective over time. This can be problematic if you’re using a really old router that is no longer compatible with modern systems and technologies. You can check if your router’s firmware is up to date by visiting its manufacturer’s website. If it isn’t, you can usually download the latest version for free. In some cases, you might even be able to upgrade to a more advanced router for free if you’re on a subscription plan.
Try A Fios Router
If you’re using a standard router, you might consider upgrading to a more advanced system. If you’re on an unlimited data plan, you might be interested in trying out a FiOS router. FiOS routers are designed to support the demands of unlimited data plans and are built to handle large amounts of data. Depending on your internet speed, you might also want to look into upgrading your modem as well.
Buy A Mesh Networking System
Mesh networking systems are a great way to speed up your internet when you’re on an unlimited plan. Unlike standard wireless routers, mesh systems are designed to work in a hub-and-spoke system. This helps to eliminate the “dead spots” in your home where internet connections are generally poor. A mesh system is designed to connect to your modem and then spread out across your home to create a reliable connection wherever you need it. Mesh networking kits are a bit more expensive than standard routers, but they are often well worth the investment as they are much more reliable in general.
Try A Vpn Service
If you’re on an unlimited data plan, you might notice that your internet speed drops significantly after a certain amount of data has been used. This is likely because your ISP throttles your connection and probably sees you as a potential source of revenue. Most ISPs throttle after a certain amount of data has been used, but you can avoid this by using a VPN. A VPN can be installed on your computer, phone, or tablet. Once it’s activated, it will secure your connection and prevent your ISP from seeing how much data you’ve used.
Final Words
We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this article on why Australian internet is so bad. If you’re not happy with your current internet service, there are things you can do to improve it. Let’s put an end to this bad internet reputation Australia currently has. We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this article. If you’re not happy with your current internet service, there are things you can do to improve it.
