25.11.2021

” In Romania, the tests performed by users on the Netograf platform in H1 2021 revealed that fixed internet connections provided through cable saw average speeds of 429.17 Mbps (download) and 279.83 Mbps (upload), while average speeds for mobile internet were 30.54 Mbps (download) and 10.97 Mbps (upload), higher than in 2020. Netograf is the tool developed to the users’ benefit by ANCOM, as an independent and objective platform, and includes web, desktop and mobile apps, for Android and iOS”, declared ANCOM Vice-president Eduard LOVIN.

The results are based on approximately 95,000 valid tests performed on Netograf.

In the context of the pandemic, fixed and mobile internet access networks have been under tremendous pressure to face the requirements of online learning and distance work. Where one internet connection or one cell in a mobile communications network is used by multiple users at the same time, the total network bandwidth remains the same, but the transfer rate is shared among the respective simultaneous users. Thus, several devices connected to the same internet connection or to the same cell may affect the connection performance, in some cases (e.g., the number of simultaneous users exceeds the network capacity – usually on mobile networks).

Netograf statistics

According to statistics collected through the Netograf platform, in H1 2021, for the largest 5 fixed internet providers, fixed cable internet connections witnessed average download speeds 42% higher, reaching 429.17 Mbps, and average upload speeds of 279.83 Mbps, up about 77% y.o.y. Mobile internet average speeds were also on a growing trend, increasing by about 30% for download (to 30.54 Mbps), and by 7% for upload (reaching 10.97 Mbps), compared to the same period of 2020.

Regarding the internet access speed ensured by the main providers in the market, Netograf shows that mobile internet providers have offered users the following average download speeds: Orange Romania - 48.45 Mbps, RCS & RDS - 15.19 Mbps, Telekom Romania Mobile Communications - 18.58 Mbps, Vodafone Romania - 27.83 Mbps. The providers of fixed internet via cable networks offered average speeds as follows: Nextgen Communications - 308.34 Mbps (download) and 294.67 Mbps (upload), Orange Romania - 857.62 Mbps (download) and 376.67 Mbps (upload), RCS & RDS - 388.37 Mbps (download) and 329.14 Mbps (upload), Telekom Romania Communications - 308.74 Mbps (download) and 213.4 Mbps (upload) and Vodafone Romania - 243.29 Mbps (download) and 27.81 Mbps (upload). These statistics resulted from approximately 95,000 valid tests carried out on Netograf in the first 6 months of 2021.

Netograf user guide

Netograf is the tool developed by ANCOM to the users’ benefit, and includes web, desktop, and mobile apps, for Android and iOS.

Mobile apps are available in dedicated stores - App Store for iOS terminals, and Google Play for Android terminals. They can be downloaded on one’s mobile terminal based on the respective user account. The desktop app can be downloaded and installed on the fixed terminal by accessing the link available on the first page of the web application.

For increasing the internet access service users’ awareness of this instrument, ANCOM is currently running an online information campaign. Thus, ANCOM posted two tutorials on the ANCOM YouTube page, here, presenting how to use the application, step by step, and the questionnaire "Little by little you learn the internet" on the website www.netograf.ro, including information about the role of ANCOM and the usefulness of Netograf.

Useful info

Ø  In the case of the fixed Internet access service, the speed depends both on the quality of the access line and on the equipment used (computer, firewall, operating system, router/modem, etc.). Thus, for a faster and more reliable connection, one can choose to connect the computer directly to the router via a network cable, instead of using the Wi-Fi.

Ø  Regarding the internet connection through mobile networks, it is good to know that the signal power level can influence the quality of the internet access service. Moreover, the propagation of electric radio signals may be affected by various obstacles, buildings, high elevation relief and similar barriers that can hinder reception at certain points. For an adequate quality of the internet access service, the graphic sign indicating signal strength, usually displayed on the terminal screen, must show maximum value.

Ø  We encourage the users to measure the actual speed of their Internet service through the Netograf application. For highest accuracy results, the tests must be carried out during several days, at different times of the day. Prior to sending the provider a complaint on poor service quality, the users must read the Complaint handling procedure and the Quality parameters measurement procedure, available on the provider’s website. 

Ø  Where an important gap between the actual speed and the one provided in the contract occurs on a permanent or on a regular basis, the users can be granted compensation according to the legal and contractual provisions.

ANCOM InfoCentre

Details on the contracts concluded with the Internet service providers and on the quality of such services are available on the ANCOM InfoCentre.