How to Check Your Broadband Speed Accurately
Checking your broadband speed accurately is important to ensure you're getting the service you're paying for. Here's how to do it properly:
Before Testing
- Close all applications and browser tabs that might be using bandwidth
- Disconnect other devices from your network
- Use a wired connection if possible (WiFi can be slower)
- Restart your router if you haven't done so recently
Testing Your Speed
- Visit a reliable speed test website such as speedtest.net or fast.com
- Choose a server close to your location
- Run the test multiple times at different times of day
- Note both download and upload speeds
Understanding Results
Your speed test results will show:
- Download Speed: How fast you can receive data (most important for browsing, streaming)
- Upload Speed: How fast you can send data (important for video calls, file uploads)
- Ping/Latency: Response time (lower is better, especially for gaming)
What Affects Speed
- Time of day (peak hours can be slower)
- Number of devices connected
- Distance from router (for WiFi)
- Router age and capabilities
- Network congestion
If your speeds are consistently below what you're paying for, contact our support team for assistance.