Workers turn to web for Olympic coverage

500% increase in streaming traffic.

8 August 2008 17:43 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Office workers tune in, in there thousands to watch the Olympics online according to one ISP who has been monitoring the traffic levels in the UK on Friday.

According to Plusnet, the Sheffield-based company saw a 500% increase in streaming traffic compared to usual levels as bored staff turned to the BBC to watch the Olympic coverage online.

The ISP claims that the rush to view footage online started around 1pm as the opening ceremony's fireworks and dance display in Beijing kicked off.

Neil Armstrong, Plusnet’s products director, said: “It looks likely that a lot of traffic was coming from business customers watching from work rather than people at home.

“We expect to this trend to continue throughout the Olympic Games, especially on weekdays when people are away from their TVs at home.”

The BBC has told Pocket-lint that it personally has yet quantified the numbers for today as yet.

We will keep you posted.