Service testing for consumers
The Department has established an independent data speed and network availability testing facility to help provide feedback on customer’s experience with their broadband service under the Australian Broadband Guarantee program. This facility is also used to ensure that registered internet service providers comply with the service level requirements of the program guidelines.
People who have a service subsidised by the Australian Broadband Guarantee program can use this facility to test the average data speed of their broadband service as well as test the impact of other service elements such as latency and web page download.
The testing facility is also available to customers whose broadband services were provided under the Government’s other subsidy programs: Australian Broadband Guarantee 2008-10, Australian Broadband Guarantee 2007-08, Australian Broadband Guarantee (Transitional Period), Broadband Connect, Metro Broadband Connect and HiBIS.
Internet service providers registered under the programs are required to provide a minimum level of broadband service for three years from the date of connection.
For the Australian Broadband Guarantee 2010-11, the minimum service levels are:
- Network: Their network must be available at least 99 per cent of the time
- Data speed: They must ensure that at least 60 per cent of the data speed of your broadband service plan is achieved at least 85 per cent of the time
What role is played by the Department to ensure these requirements are met?
The Department has established a data speed and network availability testing facility that has high bandwidth access to the internet and meets industry standards.
The Department has engaged an independent and accredited consultant to manage and operate the facility on an ongoing basis. The consultant also conducts data speed and network availability tests every month on registered providers and reports on those test results.
The test results are published online every month (see ‘Monthly provider testing reports’ below). Providers who fail the testing are notified and requested to take immediate steps to remedy the situation.
Where can I test my data speed?
The Australian Broadband Guarantee data speed test facility is at 
www.abgtest.com.au.
Please note that you can only conduct a data speed test. Network availability testing is only conducted by the consultant on internet service providers.
Improved service testing arrangements
Over the course of the 2010-11 financial year, the Department aims to deploy a number of new testing devices in a sample of Australian Broadband Guarantee customers’ premises to more accurately simulate the actual customer experience. The devices are currently under development and are expected to be available early in 2011. Further details will be available at that time.
Monthly provider testing reports
The latest reports on the test results by provider are summarised in the documents below:
