According to the results revealed by broadband measurement company Epitiro's first survey for 2009, the top performance honors in New Zealand's broadband environment have been shared by Orcon and Slingshot. Last year, Epitiro's joint survey with Herald saw Orcon bagging the top rank for strong performance.

Epitiro's rankings are based on data included from the "Big Five" Internet service providers (ISPs), namely - Telecom, Orcon, Slingshot, Vodafone and TelstraClear.

The 12,000 homes covered by the survey required the users to download the Epitiro's iSposure software, which helped measure different aspects of the ISP's performance from individual machines, with the aggregated information revealing the provider of the best overall service.

Noting that the company had changed its ISP testing methods, Mike Cranna, Epitiro's Managing Director, said that the results of the survey were based on two decisive factors - customer computer and lab-based testing, for assessing user experience as well as service performance.

About the top-ranking performers, Cranna said: "Orcon's performance is particularly strong in Auckland, where its unbundled services perform well, but it also tends to be a good performer in most other regions of New Zealand too. Slingshot also performs well."

Predictably elated at Orcon being termed a top performer, CEO Scott Bartlett said that the results reiterate the company's commitment towards providing "the best broadband and the best service" to New Zealanders.