Broadband Internet: Comprehensive New Study Based on 52 Million Actual User Tests Finds Canada's Broadband Internet Services Very Competitive Worldwide

MONTREAL, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The results of fifty-two million end-user speed tests have shown Canada as a global contender in broadband internet performance, ranking often in the top ten of international countries, according to a new report by LEMAY-YATES ASSOCIATES Inc.

LYA benchmarked six key broadband internet metrics, covering cost and performance indicators as well as household penetration in G7 and 32 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Based on data from more than 52 million actual user speed tests, LYA has found that the performance of Canada's broadband internet services is significantly better than rankings in previous international studies, which are often only based on advertised Internet speeds.

"The results of LYA's analysis demonstrate that Canada's broadband internet metrics are often in the top quartile among these countries, not near the bottom as reported by some organizations including the OECD," noted Ms. Johanne Lemay, co-author of the Report at LYA. "Using actual tests conducted by users gives a far more accurate measure of performance than simply basing findings on what internet service providers advertise their broadband internet speeds to be."

The LYA report has ranked Canada seventh (7^th least expensive) out of 32 OECD countries when comparing average monthly broadband subscription costs. Out of 32 OECD countries, Canada ranks 12^th in average Cost of a Mbps of Downstream Speed to end users - more than two times better than the 2011 OECD ranking.

Additional findings from the LYA report are:

• Canada takes the number one spot in highest broadband penetration among G7 countries at 74%, significantly ahead of the United Kingdom and France at 69.2% and 69%, respectively. Using the latest data available, LYA found Canada ranks seventh out of 32 OECD countries in the same metric, up from the 10^th spot as reported by the OECD.
• Canada's average consumer broadband speed performance comes in at the top half with 11.5 Mbps, in 15^th place, faster than average speeds seen by consumers in France and the U.K.

The statistics are particularly meaningful when Canada's large geographical land mass and sparse population is taken into consideration.  Canada has the best performance with respect to broadband speeds and penetration when compared to countries with similar very large geography, notably the United States and Australia.

This study was sponsored by Rogers Communications Inc., a leading Canadian telecommunications carrier.  LYA found that not only does Canada rank amongst world's best in internet cost and performance, but the average Rogers broadband subscriber:

• Benefits from higher download speeds (average 15.6 Mbps) than the average broadband subscriber in Canada (average 11.5 Mbps)
• Pays less for each Megabit per Second of Downstream Speed compared to the average Canadian broadband subscriber ($1.99 vs. $2.68 USD PPP)

This independent study was conducted by LEMAY-YATES ASSOCIATES INC. (LYA). The methodology for the study was developed by LYA and LYA conducted significant research on internet statistics and pricing among G7 and OECD countries using the latest and most reliable information available, as well as acquired data on user broadband speed tests from Ookla Inc. The LYA study provides detailed results for 32 OECD countries.

SOURCE Lemay-Yates Associates Inc.