Wimmera Development Association to test internet speeds during coronavirus

Wimmera Development Association has created an online test to survey people's home and mobile internet speeds.

Executive director Chris Sounness said he wanted as many people as possible across the region to complete the survey.

The data would be used to advocate for better services.

Read more:

Mr Sounness said he had heard anecdotally from people that internet speeds were worse since the pandemic started.

"A lot of people are working from home or learning from home," he said.

"We're hoping to collect evidence as to how it compares with what people are paying for."

Mr Sounness said the region already tended to have more connectivity challenges than other regions.

He said the survey's data could show the differences.

The survey will assess the participant's internet speed - requiring one test for 3G, 4G or 5G mobile internet; and three tests at staggered times throughout the same day for a home internet speed assessment.

Mr Sounness said people could complete the home internet speed survey here, and the mobile internet survey here.

The survey is open until May 15.

Other news:

Mr Sounness encouraged people to participate as many times as they wished.

"In a post-COVID world, telecommunications infrastructure and importance of its suitability for work and education is only going to increase," he said.

"We need to ensure our infrastructure is fit for purpose, and competitive with other parts of Australia.

"Currently some people are commenting that their service seems to be struggling to keep up with extra demands - and this is our chance to understand just how much pressure that is."

Did you know you can receive updates from the Wimmera Mail-Times straight to your inbox? To make sure you're up-to-date with news from across the region, sign up below.