| Have you ever wondered what your Internet | | | | Talking to your ISP can be very difficult |
| connection speed really is? I know I | | | | without factual proof of your Internet |
| definitely have, especially when my | | | | connection speed deficiencies. You can |
| connection is running slow. The part that is | | | | always do an online speed test, which is just |
| really frightening is that most Internet | | | | a website that downloads data to your |
| connections Vary in speed dramatically | | | | computer and measures the speed of that |
| throughout the day. In most cases this is | | | | transfer. The problem with doing an online |
| due to shared Internet connections. In this | | | | speed test is that you have to do it manually |
| article I will explain what may be causing | | | | every single time that you think there may be |
| this, how to detect it, and how to resolve | | | | a problem with your connection. There is |
| these issues. | | | | Speed test software product that is available |
| | | | that tests your bandwidth speed throughout |
| First thing we need to consider is the most | | | | the day for as long as you prefer completely |
| common type of Internet connection is through | | | | automatically without your intervention and |
| your cable TV company. Most cable companies | | | | shows your results in graphs and even logs |
| provide Internet access through the same | | | | this data so you can send this information to |
| connection that they provide for your cable | | | | your ISP via email to show them that the |
| television. This connection is usually | | | | problem really exists and at what times. |
| shared between many other users in the same | | | | |
| vicinity of your physical location. This | | | | Shared user connection problems are not the |
| situation means that your bandwidth speed is | | | | only speed issues that you may encounter. |
| shared amongst all the other users sharing | | | | Internet connections that transfer data |
| this connection. You'll see during peak | | | | through fiber optic systems or wires through |
| times that your bandwidth speed will be very | | | | the ground can be damaged by construction, |
| low and during off peak times you'll see a | | | | water, insects, animals, erosion and many |
| higher bandwidth speed. This is because that | | | | other different things. Internet connections |
| on peak times many of the users are using the | | | | that transfer data through the air can be |
| same shared Internet connection causing your | | | | affected by changes in the atmospheric |
| bandwidth speed to be divided between the | | | | conditions. Although you may think that |
| online users. This type of connection can be | | | | there's nothing you can do about atmospheric |
| very frustrating especially when the time | | | | conditions, you may be wrong in some |
| that you want to use the Internet is usually | | | | situations. Consider a tree that is too high |
| during the peak hours when everybody else is | | | | or too bushy or even a situation that would |
| using it. Now keep in mind that a cable | | | | just require moving the dish. No matter what |
| Internet connection is not the only type of | | | | the cause, you are not responsible for taking |
| connection to use this sharing process, | | | | care of these situations, your ISP is. Using |
| you'll see this also in DSL, ADSL, satellite, | | | | data from a speed testing software to ensure |
| dial-up and most other connection types. | | | | that you get the problem fixed in a very |
| | | | timely manner without having to try to |
| The most important thing you need to consider | | | | explain to the technician what the problem is |
| is to monitor your bandwidth speed for your | | | | while he is looking at you thinking that he |
| connection to ensure that you're getting the | | | | is going to be chasing ghosts. |
| proper speed that your promised from your | | | | |
| ISP. Many ISPs will add too many users to a | | | | Always keep in mind that you are the customer |
| shared connection, causing a much lower | | | | and you are paying good money every month for |
| usable bandwidth speed. It is OK to allow | | | | a service. So that service should be exactly |
| your Internet speeds to vary slightly, | | | | what they offered for the price you are |
| however when you are getting a major | | | | paying. They want your business and it is |
| differential between the speed that your | | | | their job to please you to keep you as their |
| promised and the speed that you're getting | | | | customer. |
| then you may want to consider talking to your | | | | |
| ISP about the problem. | | | | Click here to start testing your Internet |
| | | | connection now. |