Broadband Speed Test: What is it?

"Broadband speed test" is a tricky term that not many appear to fully comprehend. The main cause of the confusion is the fact that people tend to use the terms "transmission" and "broadband" interchangeably. Well, they are not, and better to memorize that sooner than later as it will promote your online experience to the best levels there are.

Broadband indeed is a transmission type, and a high-speed one, at that, but it normally refers to Internet access via both wired and wireless networks. Now, there are different broadband types that include, but are not limited to, DSL, Wi-Fi, and satellite.

The "high-speed" part admittedly is quite a subjective category, so allow us to attach at least some kind of definition to it. E.g., the FCC defined the minimum broadband speed as 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up back in 2015, as compared to the previous ones of 4 and 1 Mbps, respectively. As you can see, these terms do happen to be variable, so you can safely take it that this definition will remain valid until further notice.

A bit unnerving, we know, but the web keeps expanding to accommodate the growing demand, which is not likely to abate any time soon. The only thing we can do is keep informed and updated at all times. And that is exactly what we are planning to do, so now for the main thing, which so happens to be- explaining the broadband essentials.

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Defining Broadband Speed

Being reasonably concerned about your broadband speed is understandable, if not healthy. To avoid getting frustrated (admittedly, in some occasions it is inevitable, but still!), you'd best choose an appropriate package for your needs. Listed below you will find the recommended speeds for the most popular online activities.

• Basic internet services (email, VOIP, and similar): 1 to 4 Mbps.
• Limited file sharing: 4 to 6 Mbps.
• Online games (less demanding) and video-on-demand: 6 to 10 Mbps.
• HD video: 10 to 15 Mbps.
• Multiple users: 15 to 50 Mbps, depending on your online habits and the number of users.

Once one has made their decision and started using their brand new package, the first thing they usually do is perform a speed test.There are many free services available, so many, in fact, that picking a single favourite often seems like an impossible mission. It is good that it is so, as, due to this fact, you can compare the results and get a realistic picture.

Most of these services display speed results in Mbps (megabits per second). Surely you have noticed the lowercase "b" - it stands for "bit", not "byte". A bit is one eight of a byte, so, to simplify things further, it will take you 8 seconds to transfer a 1MB file. Do some calculations based on your requirements, and you will be able to choose the exact broadband package you need.

Mbps are used to meter download and upload speeds. Milliseconds (ms) are used to meter ping. Ping is the amount of latency in a computer network, or, response time, if you like it more that way. The slower the ping, the faster the transmission.

Pro Tip 1: If your speedtest result is lower than expected or advertised, make sure you've taken into account that ISPs don't guarantee maximum speeds at all times. As a matter of fact, your agreement with the ISP explicitly states that guaranteed speeds are up to the advertised one. This, however, doesn't leave much room for wrongdoings on providers' part.

Bandwidth throttling, as it is called, is used only when there's a risk of congestion. Specific traffic types can be blocked should the need arise and, in extreme cases, all traffic can be limited. This is not a common practice, thankfully, so it's best to be patient while such rare occurrences are taking place.

Finally, it is crucial to remember that, in order to fully understand your speed test results, the number of devices accessing the web must be taken into account. Speed test services, by default, assume that only one user is connected to the Internet. Therefore, if you want to determine the actual performance, make sure to undergo the test with only one device online.

Speed Test Broadband Useful Tips

To enjoy your online experience to the fullest (especially if you are into some video streaming!), it is best to close any programs that might be accessing the Internet. Switching off automatic updates is also recommended. All downloads (if any) should be paused and, lastly, a wired Ethernet connection is best used. Should this prove impossible for some reason, you can simply opt for bandwidth control (limiting download speed for selected applications and downloads).

Speed test broadband is also greatly aided by dual-band technology (e.g. routers or even a phone).

Pro Tip 2: If you are not 100% certain which exact package is right for you, the first thing to decide would be the optimum type of broadband speed test connection. These days, there are many options catering to each specific need, including DSL (with ADSL and SDSL being the two most used types), cable modem connection (uses the same cables as your TV set), fiber (exceeds DSL or cable modem speeds by far), wireless (uses a radio link between you and the ISP; can be mobile or fixed), satellite (a type of wireless broadband mostly used in remote areas), and BPL (emerging technology, so best remember the term for later use).

Cable modems transmit signals over cable TV lines. Broadband transmits signals over several channels via a single wire.

Pro Tip 3: As a reference, you can compare the requirements of broadly used online services. E.g., to use Skype, you will need from 0.1 Mbps to 1.5 Mbps (voice calls to HD video calls), for YouTube - 0.5 Mbps and up, for Netflix- from 1.5 Mbps to 5.0 Mbps (lowest to HD quality), for Hulu - 1.5 Mbps and up, and for Spotify - 0.15 Mbps and up.

Pro Tip 4: Bandwidth is the volume of information transmitted per second. Hence, it is independent of internet speed. In fact, many applications allow for bandwidth limiting. This is called bandwidth control, and what it does is keep the apps limited to a certain speed. By defining minimum and maximum bandwidth values for each program, you will improve your internet speed.

Broadband Speed Test and Windows 10

Windows 10 is (in)famous for its WUDO feature, which enables peer-to-peer sharing software updates. This certainly makes the process considerably faster, but it also hinders your online activity. It is, therefore, a good idea to turn WUDO off.

To do so, follow these steps: Start -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Choose how updates are delivered -> Updates from more than one place -> Off

Finally, do you remember the part where we mentioned dual-band technology? A piece of advice: if your household has more than one user or, simply, if you use more than one device, it is a good idea to consider getting a dual-band router. Why? Because such routers can support 2.4 and 5 GHz channels, which prevent all kinds of interferences. Did you know that even electronics can interfere with the signal, let alone nearby Wi-Fi networks? A dual-band device is your best chance at eliminating that threat. Alternatively, you might also wish to consider getting a dual-band Wi-Fi adapter or phone. After all, every little is a gain!

Everything considered, a disciplined approach will get you to the finish line. Start with checking out all available options and build from there.

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