New Report Reveals Lag - Not Speed - Is What’s Slowing Down Australia’s Internet

While many Australians blame their slow internet on download speeds, new data suggests that lag time or latency may be the real culprit behind choppy video calls, buffering streams and sluggish online gaming.  

A new report by The Australian Competition, Consumer and Commission shows that the average lag time on fixed-line NBN connections ranges between 10 - 20 milliseconds (ms), even during peak hours from 7pm - 11pm.  

In comparison, Occom’s average latency is 167.65 ms - which is roughly 8 to 17 times faster higher than NBN’s 

Occom CEO Phillip Luo says Australians deserve more than just fast download speeds, they deserve an internet that responds in real time. Lag time is the invisible barrier that’s frustrating millions of households every day. 

“Most Australians don’t realise that even with decent speeds, their internet can feel slow if their provider doesn’t deliver low latency and low packet loss.” 

According to the League of Legends Lag Report, internet provider Occom ranks number 1 in every region it operates in - outperforming key players like Telstra, Optus and TPG across critical metrics including latency, packet loss and jitter.  

Occom’s average latency is more than 40% lower than major telcos, and its packet loss rate is over 80% lower, delivering a noticeably faster, more responsive and reliable internet experience. 

Packet loss is the silent disruptor when data drops out, it's responsible for real time issues like stuttering video, unresponsive gaming, and delayed website loading. 

Occom has a packet loss rate of just 0.92%, which is significantly higher than other major companies like Telstra, Optus, or TPG, which range between 5 - 7%. 

The average Australian household is now supporting over 20 connected devices, with the average household now consuming 433.63 gigabytes (GB) per month across 25 devices. This is expected to rise to 44 devices by 2030.  

The demand for fast, low-latency internet is only growing, as Australians increasingly embrace smart homes, streaming and cloud gaming. Latency is quickly becoming an everyday household issue, not just a tech problem. 

“Major telcos need to stop hiding behind speed tests. True internet performance comes down to latency and packet loss, not just megabits per second.” 

“It’s not just about how fast you can download, but how quickly your actions get a response. That’s where Occom is leading in the industry.”