Boxing Day looms as biggest traffic day in NBN history
Boxing Day could present the biggest day for data in the history of the National Broadband Network, new data shows.
The number of internet-connected devices – spurred on by the rise of "connected" home devices such as Google Home and Amazon's Alexa – is expected to increase by 14 per cent in 2020.
On average, the standard Australian household consumes 6.98GB of data per day.
The National Broadband Network recommends users check their speed plan before adding a number of connected devices. Fairfax
On Boxing Day last year, that figure soared to 11.8GB of data, representing an increase of almost 70 per cent.
NBN Co spokesman Ryan Williams told 9News.com.au that Boxing Day presents a perfect storm of factors that lead to people consuming more internet data than normal.
"We know that there's going to be a lot of connected devices given as presents on Christmas day," Mr Williams said.
"Devices like connected phones, speakers, wearables are all increasing in popularity and on Boxing Day everyone sits around with a tummy full of food not wanting to move, consuming data.
"Really what this is about is making sure that when everyone's at your house using all of their new devices that they are going to get the most out of your NBN connection."
Amazon introduced the first iteration of its Alexa virtual assistant in 2014, with Apple and Google quickly following with their own virtual assistants. The years that followed have seen huge advancements in the technology, with the virtual assistants getting smaller and smarter to help people create their own smart homes. Supplied
Currently, there's an estimated 186 million internet-connected devices in Australia. Come Boxing Day, that figure could skyrocket to as many as 212 million devices.
Mr Williams said there were a number of ways people could get the most out of their NBN Co connection – starting with knowing the capabilities of your current plan.
"A lot of people don't actually know what plan they are on," Mr Williams said.
"The first thing we recommend is that people talk to their internet service provider and make sure they actually have enough speed for what they want to do and to satisfy all of the people who are sitting around playing with their devices.
"If you have a lower speed plan and you're trying to get the most out of say 15 connected devices, you're likely to experience a downgrade of your service."
Contractors install NBN infrastructure in Sydney. AAP
Once your plan is sorted, the next step is to use a router that can handle the needs of your household.
"They're not all the same and it's not a case that one size fits all," Mr Williams said.
"It will depend on what you need the NBN to do in your house. The right router will give you as much speed possible from your plan."
Lastly, Mr Williams recommends putting your internet modem in a place where it can service your devices efficiently – which means some people will have to fish their modem off the top of their wardrobe or out from behind a cupboard.
Cable used as part of the NBN's installation. AAP
"A lot of people when streaming are connecting to the modem wirelessly so the location of it can make a big difference," Mr Williams said.
"Try not to put the modem near obstructions or near microwaves. We've even heard putting them behind a fishtank can impact the performance of the modem."
There are currently more than six million Australians connected to the NBN, with full completion of the network on track to be completed by July 2020.
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