INTERNET SPEED TEST
Most people know that the internet can be pretty fast, but how fast is it really? The answer changes from place to place and can be quite unpredictable. In this article, we will run down the details of how to speed test the internet in a meaningful way so you can get an idea of what's really going on.
THE GRAPHICALLY ACCURATE METHOD
Most people who want to know how fast their internet connection is really going to have a hard time finding an accurate answer because it's difficult to put into words the difference between an internet speed test and a regular speed test. A regular speed test is when you visit a website, usually youtube or google, and the server tries to serve the file as quickly as possible. This is quite different from an internet speed test, where you enter a search query and the results are served as quickly as possible – usually within 5 seconds. Regular speed testing only provides an indication of how fast your internet connection is, but it doesn't actually give you an accurate measurement of how fast your internet connection can be in any particular situation.
To actually measure your internet connection speed, you need to use a device called a ‘speedometer' that is specifically designed to measure internet speeds. These devices are quite expensive, so if you want to do it right you'll need to do some research or find a friend with a really good speed test app for your phone. The most accurate and reliable way to find out how fast your internet connection is is by running a speed test, specifically designed for mobile phones. By running a few tests, you can get a good idea of what kind of speeds you can expect and whether or not the service provider you are using is a reliable or a scam. If you don't have a smartphone or are afraid to run the test on your phone, you can always run the test on a computer or using a wifi router. Even then, the results may not be as accurate as you would like them to be since your computer's hardware and operating system can have an effect on the results of your test – as can the speed of your internet connection through a router. For the best possible results, run the test on as many different devices as possible so you can compare apples to apples.
TYPES OF INTERNET CONNECTION
It's important to be aware of the types of internet connection you have before you start speed testing. You don't want to be fooled by a ‘fake' or ‘shady' internet connection that claims to be providing ‘fanciful' internet speeds that are ‘as fast as cable' or ‘faster than fiber optics'. This type of setup usually involves the use of a ‘proxy server' that acts as a middleman, bouncing all requests from one device to another (usually a smartphone), so the overall appearance of your internet connection is preserved. However, all of this bouncing makes the overall connection appear slower than it actually is. Another common type of internet connection involves the use of public WiFi hotspots. These can work quite well for the most part, but since hotspots are open to the public, your connection may be susceptible to hackers, intruders or simply rude neighbors. If you want to be sure that you are getting a good connection and don't have to worry about any of this, then use a VPN to encrypt all of your internet traffic whenever you are using public WiFi. This will also protect you from hackers and intruders that may be lurking in the shadows.
HOW TO RUN A SPEED TEST
Once you have a good sense of what you are dealing with, it's time to start measuring. To do this, you will need access to something that is quite rare these days – a dial-up modem. These used to be quite common back in the day and were often used by those who couldn't afford broadband. They are still available for purchase and some places, such as e-bay, will even provide you with free shipping. If you are looking to purchase one, make sure that you are getting a good rate since modems with a higher rating will work better in speeding up your internet connection. Of course, this is all assuming that you still have a functional modem and not one of those scary things that is stored in a vault somewhere.
If you already have a broadband connection, then all you need to do is visit the google speed test website and enter the URL of a site that you want to test. For example, if you want to test the speed of www.engadget.com, then you would enter “https://www.google.com/speedtest?pc=true&ip=192.168.0.1&post=true” into the search bar, where 192.168.0.1 is the IP address of my home network. This is an extremely useful device since it will give you an accurate measurement of how fast your internet connection can handle a direct connection to google's server (it doesn't actually connect to google's server, but it acts as though it did).
Keep in mind that the results of your speed test will vary based on what kind of device you are using to perform the test. Also, keep in mind that the more people that are using the same network for internet access, the more bandwidth there is available for everyone (including you). This is why it is preferable to use a VPN when you are on a public network to protect your data and ensure that you are getting the best possible experience without having to worry about privacy concerns or being maliciously charged for doing business online.
Hopefully, this article has helped you learn a little bit more about internet speed testing and the many factors that can affect the results of your tests. If you want even more information, then check out the wikipedia page about internet speed testing or subscribe to our newsletter so you can get useful tips about how to best utilize your internet connection.
How Does Our Internet Speed Test Work?
A bandwidth speed test is an effective way for individuals and businesses to measure their connection. Broadband providers sell tiered packages based on speed, so it's important to test regularly to make sure you are getting the appropriate return on investment. For organizations that use VoIP services, reliable broadband speed is a core necessity for the daily work of every employee. From conference calls to exporting large amounts of data, the speed of your broadband connection has a huge impact on your bottom line.
