Broadband Speed Tests?!...
06 September 2009, 09:58 PM
#1
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Broadband Speed Tests?!...
Hi boffins,
I'm a computer numpty- please go easy on me. I've just done several speed tests online and the results ranged from 2000kbps to 4500kbps!
Why would I be getting such diverse results and what is the best way/ best site to check my broadband speed. Thanks in advance people.
I'm a computer numpty- please go easy on me. I've just done several speed tests online and the results ranged from 2000kbps to 4500kbps!
Why would I be getting such diverse results and what is the best way/ best site to check my broadband speed. Thanks in advance people.
06 September 2009, 10:14 PM
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06 September 2009, 10:14 PM
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Tricky one this. Any of the 'speed sites' will come up with a number but that number's a bit like an MOT. Only valid at that time. Go to another site, as you have done, and you'll get a differing answer.
What are you after your speed for? Just as a 'like to know' or do you have a perceived problem? If so, please share ......
Dave
What are you after your speed for? Just as a 'like to know' or do you have a perceived problem? If so, please share ......
Dave
06 September 2009, 10:28 PM
#4
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Just curious Dave, my wife told me we have 8 meg broadband from Sky, I doubted that we were getting that speed. I understand the constraints on distance from hub/server/thingy but surely even at its worst we should be getting 5 or so meg- or am I just dreaming?...
06 September 2009, 10:45 PM
#5
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Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test is pretty trusted site.
Also this may be a "doh!" moment but would there be a difference between using the PC and the laptop- the laptop is wireless.
07 September 2009, 08:04 AM
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Can I jump on this thead to ask my own broadband question? I've been with Sky since I moved house 2 years ago, my exchange hasn't been upgraded yet so I'm still paying the £17/month. I'm not happy with the speed of it in the evening and weekends. If I were to move my broadband to another provider will the connection be any better or am I just limited by the exchange?
Matt
Matt
07 September 2009, 08:14 AM
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To give you an idea I am on Sky's 'Up to 16Mbps' (or 20 not sure if they have done my exchange yet) however because of the quality of my line and distance from the exchange I can only get 3Mbps
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07 September 2009, 10:24 AM
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Also look at Guide to rewiring internal UK phone wiring And read all of it. It could be that your house's internal wiring is part of the problem. Any speed tests should be done at the master socket and internal wiring should be as high quality as possible. I rewired my last house with Cat5e network cable as the old stuff was losing me a meg. of download speed between the master socket and office.
Enjoy!
Dave
07 September 2009, 10:36 AM
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have a look on cableforum. I asked the same sort of question and was told some of these sites have a bug which can skew your results.
Last edited by bigsinky; 07 September 2009 at 10:38 AM.
07 September 2009, 11:29 AM
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Gah, according to that SamKnows website Bt are aiming to upgrade my exchange Q3 2009, so anytime now. That's not made my decission any easier. I don't want to switch now, lumber myself on a 12 month contract for £15-£17 a month only to find out I could have stayed with Sky and switched to the £5 a month once it's been upgraded 
07 September 2009, 05:39 PM
#11
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Jesus! 
Gah, according to that SamKnows website Bt are aiming to upgrade my exchange Q3 2009, so anytime now. That's not made my decission any easier. I don't want to switch now, lumber myself on a 12 month contract for £15-£17 a month only to find out I could have stayed with Sky and switched to the £5 a month once it's been upgraded
Thanks guys!
07 September 2009, 08:27 PM
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b/b speeds are a can of worms any ally ,bad connection crimp wet joint h/resistance noise battery and distance can all cause slow speeds also radio masts even low power (not digital) mains interfearance etc.have fun
07 September 2009, 09:57 PM
#13
Download from newsgroups !
or http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com two files at the same time and add up the speed.. test sites are a load of ****
or http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com two files at the same time and add up the speed.. test sites are a load of ****
08 September 2009, 10:18 AM
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Download from newsgroups !
or http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com two files at the same time and add up the speed.. test sites are a load of ****
or http://gamefiles.virginmedia.com two files at the same time and add up the speed.. test sites are a load of ****
Needless to say I'm waiting for them to install the 50mb line
08 September 2009, 09:47 PM
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Hey Matt,
Does this happen all the time and on weekends?
If your sync speeds remain stable throughout, I would think it is your ISP who do not have the capacity on their backend or via their BT central links.
You could ask your neighbours and compare? and might rule out to some degree of interference further down your copper line. This might also reveal capacity problems affecting everyone being served by your exchange. I am assuming the normal BT network and not LLU providers here but should apply to both.
Move house again
and mention to the estate agent "Must have fat pipe roflcopter jeje... bbq" 
Does this happen all the time and on weekends?
If your sync speeds remain stable throughout, I would think it is your ISP who do not have the capacity on their backend or via their BT central links.
You could ask your neighbours and compare? and might rule out to some degree of interference further down your copper line. This might also reveal capacity problems affecting everyone being served by your exchange. I am assuming the normal BT network and not LLU providers here but should apply to both.
Move house again
and mention to the estate agent "Must have fat pipe roflcopter jeje... bbq"
09 September 2009, 08:30 AM
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Most evenings and weekends.
Even at 22:15 last night it was..
I do wonder if they're throttling my connection due to downloads?
This morning it's back to normal;
Even at 22:15 last night it was..
I do wonder if they're throttling my connection due to downloads?
This morning it's back to normal;
09 September 2009, 09:10 AM
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Neanderthal are you using the same computer for each test? Your not using your wireless as that could possably be slower depending on your wireless adapter.
09 September 2009, 09:24 AM
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Aye, same computer, freshly booted up using the same homeplug connection to the router. Double and tripple checked nothing else is running before I ran the tests.
09 September 2009, 08:00 PM
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Hi Matt,
Use a wired connection to test with.
In my previous house, there were interference transmitted on the mains that only appeared in the evenings. I found it came from somewhere external. I used a X10 filter on the mains and that stopped it! Strange....
Use a wired connection to test with.
In my previous house, there were interference transmitted on the mains that only appeared in the evenings. I found it came from somewhere external. I used a X10 filter on the mains and that stopped it! Strange....
09 September 2009, 08:20 PM
#26
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, always comes this speed at this time 
also to back up pimmo this is what i'm getting atm through news groups.
Last edited by Ant; 09 September 2009 at 08:34 PM.
10 September 2009, 08:24 AM
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To use a wired connection would involve moving the PC downstairs and ruining my carefully tidied cables
I don't think I've got a bit of CAT5 long enough lol.
Tonight I'll switch to wireless and see if there's any difference.
What's an X10 filter?