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