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