| As we progress from dialup modems to high | | | | broadband speed test from working entirely. |
| speed ADSL connections, the obsession with | | | | |
| internet speed is matched only by the | | | | Not all connections run at constant speeds, |
| seemingly endless real need for more speed. | | | | and sometimes go through 'slow' phases as |
| At some point or other, most everyone has | | | | well as 'fast' phases. For some reason it |
| suspected that their internet connection may | | | | could simply be that at the time of the test, |
| not be performing as well as it should be, | | | | the connection was acting up and not |
| and generally the first port of call to | | | | performing as well as it normally would. Even |
| address such suspicions would be taking one | | | | bad network connections themselves can create |
| of the many broadband speed tests that are | | | | the illusion of bad internet connections |
| widely available online. | | | | through erroneous results on the broadband |
| | | | speed test. |
| How does it work? | | | | |
| | | | What to do about bad results? |
| Essentially, the workings of most broadband | | | | |
| speed tests are exceedingly simple. A file | | | | Unfortunately, there isn't much that a person |
| is downloaded from a server, and then, in | | | | can do about bad results when taking a speed |
| some cases, uploaded, and the average speed | | | | test. Possibly one option would be to call up |
| for both downloading and uploading are | | | | the broadband internet provider that was |
| measured individually. By such a calculation, | | | | being used, and enquire with them as to the |
| both the download and upload speed at the | | | | reasons for bad results. In most cases, there |
| time of the test can be reported. | | | | would be nothing that they could do directly |
| | | | however. |
| Is every broadband speed test accurate? | | | | |
| | | | Also, if the results really are bad on a |
| Just as with most any tests, there are | | | | continuous basis and it was felt that the |
| certain circumstances that can result in | | | | broadband internet was not worthwhile, it |
| either incorrect, or misleading, results. | | | | might be time to consider changing service |
| Some tests based in a certain country would | | | | providers. Don't just jump blindly at the |
| not report accurate speeds for any other | | | | next service provider that you see , instead, |
| country, for example, as the distances and | | | | carefully look up each one and talk to |
| rerouting involved would automatically affect | | | | neighbours to find out more about what |
| the download and upload rates, making it | | | | service provider is ideal for the area. |
| generally slower. | | | | |
| | | | Despite not being entirely accurate, a |
| Furthermore, some applications that use the | | | | broadband speed test is a good first |
| internet while the test is taking place could | | | | indicator for problems with a person's |
| also affect the results. Such applications | | | | internet broadband service. By giving at |
| may even be running unnoticed in the | | | | least some idea of the speed which a given |
| background, i.e. instant messaging programs, | | | | broadband line is running on, it can help |
| windows update, and internet radio. Having a | | | | along with the process of solving the |
| firewall running could even stop the | | | | problem. |