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Broadband Internet DSL Speed Tests - Making Sure Your Connection is Up to Speed

Though broadband Internet connections are usually very fast, there are many things that can slow them down. The most common threat to broadband speed is network traffic and congestion.

The best way to deal with this potential problem is to administer broadband speed tests on your system. Doing so provides a good baseline for your Internet speeds so that you have something to compare your broadband Internet’s performance against. Most resources suggest that broadband speed tests be performed on a regular basis. If you do happen to notice a change in your broadband Internet speed, including continuously slow uploads or downloads, then it might be time to contact your Internet Service Provider.

What Broadband Speed Tests Do

This depends upon which type of broadband speed test you actually take. Some of them test the speed of your connection by analyzing the efficiency of a large file download. These tests should also allow you to compare your data with others in your area. It’s important to remember that when taking these tests, the results you get should be fairly close to your purchased line speed. Most resources suggest that as long as your broadband speed test results are within 90% of your rated line speed, then everything is probably just fine.

Another example of a speed test is the “ping” test. These tests will “ping” (basically check the status of) the IP address on your computer every so often and take records about any downtimes, etc. This will help you determine how often your computer is online and offline.

Before You Take a Broadband Speed Test

Most tests will take no longer than 2-3 minutes, unless you are taking the “ping” test, in which case your computer’s connection will be monitored over a certain time frame. You’ll also have to install a program called Java before you take the tests; this can be easily downloaded online.

If you encounter any problems while downloading a broadband speed test, it’s likely that the culprit is either your computer’s firewall or your computer has a network configuration which does not allow the tester to connect. Most resources suggest that you check to make sure that the TCP ports 8080 and 8081 are not blocked on your computer or firewall.  

Broadband Speed Tests by Region

The broadband speed tests you can take will vary slightly depending on which region you live in. Below is a short list of some of the more popular broadband speed tests across the United States. These sites are applicable to all forms of broadband including cable and DSL. 

East/South

NYC

Atlanta

Washington D.C.

Midwest

Chicago

Dallas  

West Coast

San Francisco

Los Angeles 

Take a broadband speed test today and make the most of your fast Internet connection.