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