Compare ISP connection speeds

Wombat · 10 August 2005 at 1:42PM

For the last few weeks I've felt that my Internet connection has been slowing down. In order to verify this I carried out a free online speed test of my connection and I suspect that I'm not getting the speeds I should be from NTL.

So I thought it would be an idea if as many people as possible carried out the same test to compare the service we're receiving from our ISPs. It only takes a couple of minutes and the results could be very interesting, not to say informative!!

If you'd care to take part in this comparison, close down any applications that might access the Internet during the test (in order to get as accurate a speed as possible without interference). These would include any Messenger program, Email or other Browser windows than the test page.

Go to the test site: http://www.adslguide.org.uk/tools/speedtest.asp

and follow the instructions. Come back here and publish your results, including your ISP and connection type. Read the other results and see if you're being short changed by your ISP. It should give us all some hard facts with which we can renegotiate our contracts!!

My Results:

ISP: NTL. Connection: 512KB Broadband.

Actual Speed

Downstream 283 Kbps (35.4 KB/sec)
Upstream 55 Kbps (6.9 KB/sec)

True Speed (estimated)

Downstream 305 Kbps (inc. overheads)
Upstream 59 Kbps (inc. overheads)

bunking_off · 10 August 2005 at 2:08PM

That's an absolutely appalling result...I'd complain to ntl if I were you.

Wombat · 10 August 2005 at 2:35PM

I know - and I intend to. But it would be helpful to have something to compare with when I phone, so I can say that XXX ISP is providing speeds of X and Y on a similar connection.

And, of course, others can do the same.

I think it's time to kick some butt!

What makes it worse is that I think my connection may already have been upgraded to 1MB!!!!

Rex_Mundi · 10 August 2005 at 2:55PM

On a speed test if your connection is working fine, you should expect a result above 85% of your quoted speed. This should mean on a 512Kbs connection, you should get AT LEAST 435Kbs. Before I changed over to a 2Mbs connection with Zen my results were normally around 490Kbs on a 512Kbs connection.

I just tested my speed now. Zen Internet 2Mbs connection

Downstream 1858 Kbps (232.3 KB/sec)
Upstream 241 Kbps (30.1 KB/sec)

True Speed (est)
Downstream 2006 Kbps (inc. overheads)
Upstream 260 Kbps (inc. overheads)

The test was taken while the boy was playing online through the same network, so these are good results for me.

Edinburghlass_2 · 10 August 2005 at 7:32PM

Thanks for those figures Rex, I just checked mine and it came in at 493 so is acceptable

Incidentally the OP might like to know that I am with Tesco which goes through NTL.

Donnie · 10 August 2005 at 8:15PM

madasafish

Direction
Actual Speed
Downstream 1890 Kbps (236.3 KB/sec)
Upstream 243 Kbps (30.4 KB/sec)

True Speed (estimated)
2041 Kbps (inc. overheads)
262 Kbps (inc. overheads)

bbb_uk · 10 August 2005 at 8:20PM

Edinburghlass wrote:

Thanks for those figures Rex, I just checked mine and it came in at 493 so is acceptable

That is good was that 'Actual' or 'True speed' though?

I've been recommending/setting up Tesco net for those that want a reliable ADSL broadband connection although it's not the cheapest I've not read that many probs with them compared to other 'cheaper' alternatives.

Anyhow, my speed was:-

ISP: Blueyonder from Telewest - 512k

Actual Speed Downstream: 483 Kbps (60.1 KB/sec)
Actual Speed Upstream: 118 Kbps (14.8 KB/sec)

True Speed Downstream: 519 Kbps (inc. overheads)
True Speed Upstream: 127 Kbps (inc. overheads)

WinXP SP2 with all non-internet related software shutdown (including firewall & AntiVirus).

I also agree with Bunking_Off - that is a bad result and would also recommend complaining to NTL.

Donnie · 10 August 2005 at 8:27PM

It might be worth pointing out that many advertise speeds of up to...

There are times when my downloads are slower. Though, this was my first test.

Take the test at different times to see if results vary.

Wombat · 11 August 2005 at 12:14PM

Thanks all for the feedback.

I rang NTL and found out why my speeds were so low. They hadn't upgraded my speed (supposedly everyone on NTL should have been upgraded, or is about to be upgraded, to 1MB). I was still on the old 300KB!!!!!!

One click of the mouse and the NTL guy upgraded me there and then. Now I can see a difference. I no longer get voice break-up in my VOIP programs (been struggling with that one for months!!!), and everything loads and downloads a lot faster.

Speeds now are (actual, not estimated)

Downstream: 954 Kb/s
Upstream 93 Kb/s

So if you're with NTL and your system is slow, ring and check if you've been upgraded. It makes the world of a difference.

Compare ISP connection speeds

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