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The results are in: Independent testing shows Rogers Hi-Speed Internet customers can count on the speed they need

Jul 4, 2013 News Releases

Study by globally-recognized SamKnows shows Rogers network investments
are delivering fast and reliable internet speeds to customers 

TORONTO, July 4, 2013 /CNW/ – Rogers Communications announced today that
results of independent third-party broadband speed performance testing
show that Rogers delivered on average 100 per cent or more of
advertised download speeds on the most popular packages it offers for
sale. The study was based on data collected in customer homes by
SamKnows Ltd., an independent world leader in broadband performance
testing.

“Canadians are among the highest users of the internet in the world, and
with everything moving online, the internet has become the foundation
of the home,” said John Boynton, Executive Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer of Rogers Communications. “We’ve made significant
investments in our network infrastructure allowing us to offer faster
download speeds. This new independent test shows that we’re delivering
the internet speeds we advertise to give our customers added assurance
that they’re getting what they pay for.”

The study results show that: 

  • Rogers delivered on average, 100 per cent or more of advertised speeds
    on both uploads and downloads in its Lite, Express, Extreme, and
    Extreme Plus packages. The data suggests that customers on the recently
    introduced Ultimate package also get 100 per cent of their advertised
    speeds, but more testing is required with a larger sample size to
    confirm this;
  • Based on studies conducted by SamKnows in the U.S., Rogers outperforms
    U.S. fibre-to-the-node service providers, delivering 106 per cent of
    advertised download speeds during peak hours compared to the U.S.
    average of 97 per cent. In a separate study of broadband speeds in Europe, SamKnows also found European internet
    service providers delivered only 74 percent of advertised speeds during
    peak hours. 

“We’re excited to be working with Rogers on such a large-scale home
based speed performance testing program,” said Alex Salter, CEO of
SamKnows. “Using our proven SamKnows methodology, our results confirm
Rogers is able to deliver the internet speeds advertised to customers.”

Rogers is the first Canadian internet service provider to enter into a
large home-based speed testing program as part of its overall
commitment to deliver the best network experience. Over the last year,
the company has made the largest investment ever in its Rogers Hi-Speed
Internet network to deliver faster, enhanced internet service to
consumers and businesses. Customers on the most popular packages are
now enjoying download speeds that are at least 25 per cent faster and
upload speeds that are at least three times faster than before. Rogers
also recently added its Ultimate package, offering download speeds of
up to 150 Mbps – up to three times faster comparing widely available
speeds in Ontario. 

The results of the SamKnows report are based on data that was collected
for a period of one month in May 2013, using a custom hardware device
called a Whitebox that a customer simply plugs in to the existing
internet connection in his or her home. Approximately 200,000 speed
tests were conducted. This methodology has also been used by national
regulators in the U.S., the U.K., Brazil and Singapore. The testing
program with SamKnows is ongoing, and additional results will be
released in the coming months. To read a copy of the report, please
visit www.samknows.com/rogers.

About Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media
company. We are Canada’s largest provider of wireless voice and data
communications services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable
television, high speed internet and telephony services. Through Rogers
Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised
shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and
digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).
For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please
visit rogers.com. 

About SamKnows
SamKnows has established itself as the leading authority on broadband
service availability and independent broadband performance testing. 

Founded in 2008 and operating from London, United Kingdom, this
privately held and independent company continues to build out its
global measurement platform, creating a standard for broadband
performance measurement. As part of its work with the FCC (USA), Ofcom
(UK), the European Commission, Anatel (Brazil), and the IDA
(Singapore), SamKnows is working with governments, industry leaders and
academics worldwide to create a methodology and test platform that
measures every aspect of broadband and network performance. For further
information about SamKnows, please visit www.samknows.com.

SOURCE: Rogers Communications Inc.