Internet Speed Test

What is it and why should you do it?

If you are concerned about improving your Internet speed, before you make any tweaks, you should do an Internet speed test. A speed test estimates the performance of a network connection by using sample data files and test Web servers (don’t worry about all this jargon!)

There are many places on the web, where you can perform and Internet speed test and there are lots of different factors that might affect the results of the Internet speed test, for example:

·         Overall network traffic (internet traffic - how busy the internet is)

·         Your computer's performance and configuration

·         Accessing cached or non-cached data (Your browser may cache or "save"  a copy of the web page and or graphics in your system to decrease the load time the next time you visit the site)

·         Location and configuration of the accessed server (That is why you should choose a modem speed test closest to your location)

Why should you do an Internet speed test?

Testing your connection speed at various times of the day will help you to choose when it may be best to download large files, make phone calls over the internet or even the best time to surf the web.  The faster your connection speed, the faster the files may download, the smoother your phone calls over the internet may sound and the faster web pages may load.  There are many other reasons that you may have to perform an Internet speed test, but remember that the speed shown on the speed tests are not going to be exact speeds and should not be thought of as the Max Speed that you can achieve with your modem.  Try different speed tests for different areas to show how your modem's connection speed may vary between your computer and a server (computer) in another country.    Sites like TestMySpeed.com have lots of different speed tests and add more speed tests often. If they do not have a speed test listed that is real close to your location, the chances are that they will in the future.

What is an Internet Speed Test?

An Internet speed test is a simple process whereby you connect to the Internet via a specified server.  The test will them measure the speed at which the information is downloaded from the relevant website.  This gives an indication of how fast your connection is working.

What an Internet speed test will do

Once you have located a speed test that is close to your location click on the link.  Some tests may start automatically and you may see a picture start to appear on the page.  Other links may bring you to a page where you have to actually press a button that says something like "Start the Test".  

Once the test is started, the host server (Where the speed test is running) will measure your download speed and sometimes your upload speed by transferring data between your computer and the server.  Using a series of calculations, the test is able to determine what it showed as your Modem's Connection Speed to that server.

The Internet Speed Test Results:

Your modem speed test results will most likely be displayed as something like this example:  Throughput: 12345 BPS and or 12.3 KBPS

If you are using a 56k Modem, you probably expect that you are connecting at 56 KBPS.  Due to the many factors that affect your Modem's performance you MAY only be reaching speeds of about 33 KBPS.  Some speed tests may even have a chart where it will show your connection speed vs. other types of connections like a 56k modem, DSL, Cable, a T1 line and others.  This will help to show you where you stand with your modem speed.