Broadband Speed Test

[Beechy101]

Which is the best site to test my broadband speed?

[Paulst30]

http://www.dslzoneuk.co.uk

thats what i use, you have to sign up but its simple and you get to track your recent tests and compare with other isps

[fo3nix]

I like

http://www.speedtest.net

[CheekyChops]

I've just used that site but the numbers mean nothing - what is 973 download and 233 upload?

[fo3nix]

Cheekychops -- I assume you mean speedtest.net?

That's your internet speed in kilobytes per second (kbps). If you have a '2 Meg' internet line, that means that your download speed is theoretically 2000kbps. The upload is always a lot less -- typically 256kbps.

However, the theoretical is usually not what you get. There are losses involved, and various other things to take into consideration. Multiplying the number you should get by 0.7 is more like the average you'll get -- so the 2000kbps would become 1400mbps.

Your numbers sound like you have a 1Mb line. However, it may be a 2Mb line with some extra losses currently (you should do the speed checks several times over different days and times to get a half-decent average). Also make sure that you run the test with nothing else using the internet -- no MSN in the background, no email, and no other computer either.

This is also assuming you clicked on the recommended server, the yellow one.

For comparison, my results are 17348kbps download and 14726kbps upload (I'm sat on a very nice uni connection).

[CheekyChops]

Thanks fo3nix, yes I did use speedtest.net and clicked on the yellow server. I did have lots of other things going at the same time though so will try it again with nothing else using the internet.

[Paulst30]

Speed test is great because its fast and easy to access. I'm not to chuffed on its reliability though.

I've tested various other speed sites and speed test always comes out lowest. It also really depends on more factors too its never straight forward as they may lead everyone to believe.

Contributing factors that are worth googling are

Contention ratio
attenuation
noise margin
internal wiring

These all affect the connection to the net and once finely tuned with a reliable ISP (NOT Sky) you can have a happy time surfing.

The DslZoneuk helps you get to grips with all of these issues and also teaches you what to look out for when all is not as its supposed to be.

For example,

i complained to Sky Broadband (Tier 3 support) about my connection, i tuned my side of things and was still a good 2Mb short of what was supposed to be. ( 4.5Mb Line within 2km of exchange) I should have been getting closer to 3.5Mb but every test showed 2Mb and even as low as 512Kb download.

There was an apparent 'testing cap' on my line which they forgot to remove and as soon as they flicked the switch it shot up to 4Mb. So don't believe the companies when they say that its a fault with your line and phone BT.

[Panic Button]

Am I alone or is this all gobbledegook?

[Paulst30]

Its only gobbledegook if your not interested in maximising your broadband connection or want to fix connection issues.

I know its digressed away from the question but that sometimes happens i guess.

Have a bunny

(\__/)
(o.O )
(")(")

[Beechy101]

Someone told me there is a way of increasing your download speed without having to change service provider.

Anyone know?

[Panic Button]

That's an owl

[ilamaran]

You can test your speed at http://www.scanmyspeed.com/ .
It also provides the Windows gadget which tests the speed of your internet connection right from your desktop.