Learning the Ropes of Internet Speed Test Results

Knowing how to properly interpret your internet speed test is an absolute must. After all, we all are dependent on our devices for many an everyday activity - from retrieving instant information to getting around unfamiliar places.

Albeit many brag to have tested their broadband on many an occasion, the sad truth is that only a small percentage of people understands what the result actually portends. It is of prime importance to fully grasp the essentials, as they will assist you massively in pinpointing the best option for your particular broadband requirements. Let us, therefore, break them down and learn the ropes.

Speed Test Internet Basics

After successfully performing a speed test internet, you will get acknowledged with your download speed, upload speed, and ping (sometimes even other parameters as well).

Download and upload speed are normally expressed in megabits per second (Mbps). These are not to be confused with megabytes (MB), which are used to measure a file size. In actual fact, a bit is one eight of a byte, which means that it will take you 8 seconds to transfer a 1MB file.

Sounds simple? Now for the tricky part: megabits per second are used to measure the speed and the bandwidth alike, and, curiously enough, not many people know the difference between them. If you happen to be one of them, it's high time you fixed your oversight. Namely, it is crucial to differentiate between the two if you are to use your internet connection to the best of its potential.

Simply put (and referring only to this specific case, bear in mind), bandwidth is the volume of information per unit of time that your internet connection can put up with. E.g., some programs allow for limiting the amount of bandwidth (bandwidth control), which will keep them running at a certain speed. In addition, a great many modem/router models also come with this solution. These allow the user to assign a minimum/maximum bandwidth for each computer using a shared internet connection.

Now that we have learned these important terms, it's time to get back to your Internet speed results. Download speed shows how quickly content is being transferred to your computer. Upload speed is the exact opposite: it shows how quickly your computer uploads content to the Internet. Ping represents the amount of latency in a computer network. In plain English, it shows the amount of time content takes to get from one computer to another. Ping is normally expressed in milliseconds (ms).

It is important to understand here that the fine print of your ISP agreement usually contains the term "up to". If your speed test is below the agreed service level, this might well be one of the reasons. However, keep in mind that speed test results, no exceptions, assume that only one device is using the Internet connection. That is to say, if multiple users are connected at a time, the overall internet speed will suffer. Depending on the number of devices accessing the web simultaneously and the type of ongoing online activities, your internet speed might slow down considerably.

Another thing to remember is that ISPs sometimes resort to the so-called bandwidth throttling. It works in a twofold manner: the provider can either limit all traffic (commonly during peak hours) or specific traffic types (i.e., file sharing or streaming), as to avoid congestion.

Pro Tip 1: If your internet speed is lower than expected, make sure to do the following:

1. Close any programs using the connection;
2. Pause all downloads (if applicable);
3. Use a wired Ethernet connection (as compared to wireless connection) to avoid any interference from electronics and other nearby wireless networks;
4. Restart your router/modem and attempt the speed test again.

If none of these render desirable results, you should contact your ISP.

Wireless Internet Speed Test Recommendations

Listed below you will find the recommended connection speeds for the most popular Internet services. Note, however, that multitasking and sharing the connection with multiple computers call for better wireless internet speed test results.

Skype:

• Mbps download / 0.1 Mbps upload (voice calls);
• 0.5 Mbps download / 0.5 Mbps upload (video calls);
• 1.5 Mbps download / 1.5 Mbps upload (video calls).

YouTube:

• 0.5 Mbps download (minimum requirement).

YouTube offers more video quality levels (480p, 720p, or 1080p), the lowest being the least detailed and the highest taking more bandwidth to stream.

Netflix:

• 1.5 Mbps download (minimum requirement) and 5.0 Mbps download speed for HD quality.

Spotify:

• 0.15 Mbps (minimum requirement).

As you can see from the abovementioned, properly evaluating the best option for your surfing needs beforehand is of paramount importance. The alternatives include: DSL, cable, fiber optic cable, satellite, wireless, T1 through T5, and, of late, BPL (an emerging technology currently available only in some areas). These will be explained elsewhere, so make sure to keep reading!

Pro Tip 2: If your connection is used by multiple devices, it might be a good idea to get a dual-band router. These are certain to provide you with considerably better internet speed test results and also prevent electronics' interference.

Pro Tip 3: Speeds from 1 to 4 Mbps are sufficient for basic internet services, such as e-mail, VOIP, and music streaming. Speeds from 4 to 6 Mbps will allow for limited file sharing and IP TV. Speeds from 6 to 10 Mbps, if used on a single device, are sufficient for less demanding online games and video-on-demand services. Speeds from 10 to 15 Mbps are sufficient for accessing HD video and cloud services. Speeds from 15 to 50 Mbps are recommended for multiple devices.

Pro Tip 4: Streaming is one of the most enjoyed online activities. If you were curious as to the actual requirements, we can break down data for you. 1 Mbps is sufficient for streaming compressed music and SD quality video (computer only). 2 Mbps is sufficient for streaming lossless music and SD quality video (computer and TV). 5 Mbps is sufficient for streaming HD video. 10 Mbps is sufficient for streaming full HD video with high definition audio. 25 Mbps is sufficient for streaming 4K or ultra HD video.

If you are a Windows 10 user, keep in mind that the OS is likely to slow your internet speed down. This is due to the fact that Windows 10 uses the Windows Update Delivery Optimization feature (WUDO), intended for faster software updates via peer-to-peer sharing.

If you are in need of a faster connection speed, you can turn off WUDO by following these steps: Start -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Choose how updates are delivered -> Updates from more than one place -> Off

Piece of cake. Your broadband speed will be back to its finest in no time!

Following all of these tips, you will be able to enjoy the internet at its best. Still, sometimes the cases of multiple users accessing the Internet cannot be avoided, especially if you happen to have a big family. Despair not! There are still many things you can do to improve your surfing experience.

Wireless Connections and Internet Speed Test

Your full connection speed is not reflected when the speed test is performed over a wireless connection.

Speed test results show only 80% of your download and upload speed, since 20% of the speed is used for network routing. As stated above, getting a dual band wireless device will help you overcome the issue. The "device" needs not necessarily be a router; you can also opt for a Wi-Fi adapter or a dual band phone.

Allow us to clarify: as many electronics interfere with your internet speed test, getting merely a dual band phone can help your case. Namely, these can support tri- or even quad band transmission frequency ranges, separate from Wi-Fi.

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