How to Check Broadband Speed

How to Check Broadband Speed
Here are a few things that are necessary to know about before setting about gauging the speed of your broadband.

• Understanding why you need to test the speed of your Broadband is essential. For example, in case you pay for an 8 Mbps service, but are receiving only 6 Mbps you need to speed test your broadband connection.

• Your broadband speed depends on different factors such as the condition and length of your line from the exchange, the longer your line, the better the speed.

• Signal to Noise Ratio is an important part that determines the speed at which you can connect to the exchange. The better your SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio) margin the better your chance of achieving higher broadband speed on your computer.

• While checking on your broadband speed, make sure you are in your own locality. For example, a US based speed tester is needed if you are a US resident. Using a tester outside the US will result in additional time to perform the journey on the Internet and this may result in inaccurate results.

• Understanding about the speed of your broadband is necessary before you measure its speed.

• The broadband speed is made up by Line Speed, connection speed, True Speed(speed at which data travels), Actual Speed(the rate at which useful data is sent and received without any overheads)

• Be careful while downloading a speed tester to measure your broadband speed there are various things you need to know. Often speed testers quote figures that are between the true and actual speed, which vary from one speed tester to another.
• Speed test results may be slow in case there is - Congestion in your ISP's network, Contention at the local exchange, Network problems.
• Ideally a good speed tester would give you accurate information about the speed of your broadband, helping you to take up your case with the service providers.
• You need to educate yourself, to a certain extent to understand how to gauge the speed of your Internet. Things you should know are: working knowledge of certain aspects of TCP/IP , a knowledge of timer units versus accuracy in the programming language used, basic mathematical understanding of ‘precision’, ability to judge the accuracy of one's own speed test results, proper server appropriate connectivity for multiple client speed test needs.