KEY POINTS:
TelstraClear's own network has allowed it to outshine competitors in the first survey of broadband performance by a UK-based internet measurement company, Epitiro.
Michael Cranna, managing director of Epitiro's local arm, said TelstraClear's performance was well ahead of the four other internet service providers measured.
"The number two and three slots are up for grabs, but I think it will take a while for someone to catch TelstraClear," said Cranna. "It's actually fractionally above the UK's average ISP performance."
Epitiro measured the DSL broadband service of five of the biggest internet service providers - Telecom's Xtra, TelstraClear, ihug, Orcon and Slingshot - every 15 minutes over a seven-week period.
Slingshot was rated second, followed by Orcon. Epitiro has a policy of not releasing the lower rankings.
A range of tests were run on five PCs subscribing to each internet provider's "premium" broadband service from a secret location in central Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Cranna said Epitiro wanted to test ISPs on their best available consumer service.
He said TelstraClear's performance was due to its relatively new network which meant it did not rely on Telecom's older infrastructure.
TelstraClear's head of corporate services, Mathew Bolland, said the company was delighted but not surprised to be ranked first in the survey.
"We know the quality of service and speeds are good so to see them come out number one is great," he said.
Bolland said the company's continued investment of more than $100 million a year in networks and services had contributed to its success.
Martin Wylie, chief executive of second-ranked Slingshot, said investment was the difference between the internet companies' performance, particularly as demands for speeds and the complexity of services increases.
"Other than those things controlled exclusively by Telecom, it's probably the level of investment in your own core network and servers and in the amount of bandwidth you provision for your customers and how well you manage that allocation of bandwidth to your customers," he said.
Cranna said the lagging performance of some ISPs can be blamed in part on issues with Telecom's network, which is dragging down those piggy-backing on it.
"We see packet loss or response times go through the roof once demand increases," said Cranna.
If this happens to several ISPs at the same time we know the issue is industry-related.
"If it keeps happening to just one ISP, it's likely to be their issue."
The set-up of computer equipment at home could also affect the performance consumers are receiving - the effects of which were removed from Epitiro's testing.
"Satellite decoders, fax/printers, cheap modems, faulty cabling - all can play a major part."
Clear winner
* TelstraClear has been ranked the best performing DSL broadband provider, followed by Slingshot and Orcon.
* TelstraClear's performance came out above the average for UK internet service providers.
* The company's DSL network allows it to offer broadband services without relying on Telecom's network.
