It is important to understand the accuracy of each internet speed test as well as the purpose of the test. Get accurate tests and improve your speed The ping test result included in our results will give a good indication of latency - the smaller the better. This is why it is so important for games but it also improves any online activity. It has an impact on how long after you click something for you to see the corresponding change. Latency is a measure of how responsive your internet connection is. Latency is particularly important for many online games. Speeds of 0.3 (SD) to 1.5 (HD) Mb/s will be sufficient for video calls and speeds of 3 Mb/s are ideal for social media.įor online gaming, you will need download speeds of more than 3 Mb/s and upload speeds of > 1 Mb/s. We work hard to ensure our broadband speed test produce the best, most accurate results possible. Test your speed now and compare the results with the following to see if your current speed meets your needs. Under 100ms is OK but under 40ms is optimal.

Latency (or ping time) is important for gaming.

Upload is less important for normal users.

Faster download speeds mean more devices can stream better quality content.

The more users and/or devices using the internet the more speed is required and the type of activity also changes the requirements. A speed of 25 Mb/s is probably good enough for the average home user. Browsing the internet, sending emails or using social media are not demanding. The speed you need depends on if you are streaming content, making video calls or gaming. Please see our Choosing your provider and package page for more information about getting the right package for you. When you know what you need you should Compare Broadband Packages and see what speeds are available in your area. In general, the faster your internet speed the better but, before you pay for a higher package or swap providers, you should consider what speed is good enough for your needs.

Check the quality of voice conferencing you can expect.

Check if the speed has changed over time.

Check that you are getting what you paid for.

This could indicate a problem with the service you receive, some problem within your property or a result of increased use of the internet during that time. By testing regularly you will be able to see if there is any reduction in your speed over time. We recommend that you regularly test your internet to ensure it is meeting your current and future needs. Roots may be growing into the cable buried in your yard.Broadband Speed Test: How fast is fast enough? Why do you need an internet speed test?

Speed may be slow because you’re using the internet at peak times, or your router may be outdated. You may even see disclaimers like “wireless speeds may vary” because Wi-Fi speeds are always inconsistent no matter what provider you choose-it’s just how Wi-Fi works.įor example, there may be issues with the provider’s service area, like faulty connections somewhere within the neighborhood.

Internet providers will state “up to” when advertising maximum speeds because many variables can prevent you from hitting that top speed. What you see on the speed test is simply where your internet speeds are currently. Most of the time, your internet speeds will fluctuate within a small range of that max speed. The speeds promised by your internet plan are the max speeds you can expect. You likely won’t ever see the maximum speed advertised by your provider in the speed test, but your speed test results should come close. Why doesn’t my internet speed match my plan?

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