how can i tell if i am using a broadband connection?

[elgroucho]

how can i tell if i am using a broadband connection?
I know I am paying for it, but it doesn't appear to be faster. Is there a quick way to tell?

[boink]

well do you have the dsl modem and everything connected? have you unplugged your old regular modem? if your still hearing the sqawks and beeps when you connect, id say your still on dial up! also if your using an old pc it might be to slow to load webpages any faster

[elgroucho]

well, i'm new to home use i so i wasn't using anything before, I have a wireless router, does that mean i'm using broadband?

[maviscoull]

i would say so !

[boink]

are you comparing your current speed to that of a large company? or college? these are usually much more faster, as in you click something and bam its there. however if your using wirless i would imagine your on bb

[Machecoul]

Somebody gives a web link here which you can use to check your speed.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Internet_and_Te chnology/Question239637.html

[fo3nix]

Goto this site:
http://speedtest.net/

Choose the London server (assuming you're in the UK), and report back the two numbers it gives you (the download and upload numbers).

[Machecoul]

fo3nix - yours was the one above!

[fo3nix]

Yea I know, but the speed test I've linked to here is more reliable now than that one. It's also clearer to see too I think.

[wideboy]

Good site fo3nix.

[Machecoul]

Yes much better - and very easy - also depressing :(

[elgroucho]

upload 1612kbps
download 354kbps

What does this mean?

[wideboy]

elgroucho - sure you've got them the right way around?