Home working leads to return of internet spike

Telecoms network provider Sure said it saw an increase in both outbound and inbound internet traffic, of about 35% and 25% respectively, during periods of extended working from home.

While it described the rise as unsurprising, as more people were learning and working from home, it was still a significant amount of extra broadband usage.

There was also a noticeable jump in use at around 9am, said Sure, when many people would be having morning meetings before a slight drop off over the lunch period from 12-2pm. The usage returned to normal daytime levels from around 4pm.

Despite this increase, the company said the network continued to perform and handle the impact of the extra usage with no difficulty.

Cyrille Joffre, Sure’s chief operating officer, said that investment in the network had built a solid foundation for this piece of critical national infrastructure.

‘For decades now we’ve been investing millions of pounds annually in maintaining the network,’ said Mr Joffre.

‘That includes basic maintenance and repairs but, more importantly, investments in significant upgrades that enhance the capacity and reliability of our on and off-island connectivity.

‘Just last year, we upgraded the infrastructure that connects the Channel Islands to the global internet, a £3m. investment that benefits consumers, businesses and the islands’ economies by enabling both increased resiliency and extra capacity to be added in increments of 100 gigabits – an increase of more than 10 times over the technology used today.

‘With the use of home broadband increasing, our continued investment has given Guernsey a network that is fully able to cope with the demand and allows islanders to learn and work from home while that’s a sensible thing to do.’

Sure said its mobile network also experienced an increase in activity during periods of working from home, with the last lockdown recording a 25% increase in voice and data traffic.