Internet Connection Speed Test Types
Do you have any idea how to do an internet connection speed test? If you are looking for an Internet Connection Speed Test then there are many to choose from including free ones.
Most of the time, when you apply for a broadband internet from an ISP or Internet Service Provider, you are promised to get between 5Mbps to 10Mbps connection speed. However, there is a probability that you are not getting it as promised and that you are not getting the kind of service worthy of what you paid for.
There are actually reasons why you are not getting the optimum download speed from your ISP. It is already expected that you cannot have your connection speed reach its maximum limit. What it not common is that some of the ISPs are doing improvement on their network by enhancing some of their services, prioritizing users and traffic while compromising the others.
Before you complain anything about connection speed or the connection quality, you should know first your connection speed. You may do it using different ways.
Online Testing
One of the fastest and easiest ways to do internet connection speed test is through the internet. There are lots of options online like DSL Reports and Speed Test which are both reliable. Though the name is DSL Reports, it can test any connection type. If your system cannot function properly on flashy applications, then you may prefer using Speakeasy than Speed test.
Internet Connection Speed Test Monitoring Software
Since it is not practical to conduct internet connect speed test on a daily basis, it is better to use network monitoring software. ISP Monitor or Bandwidth Monitor is fit for Windows users. There are background widgets that provide you real time information about connection speed and log it the whole day. iStat Menus are recommended for Mac users.
Traffic Shaping Test
Aside from the connection speed, another problem of ISP is the web traffic. So that the ISP can make room for “legitimate” traffic, they are now using different traffic shaping tools so that it will slow down torrent traffic. If there is success in neutralizing net traffic, other wicked ISP tactics and traffic shaping will be made illegal, or as much as possible controlled. You may download complete test suite from Google to know if your ISP is using tools like this. To help detect network shaping among ISPs, you may use Measurement lab. This allows you to find out if the ISP you are using is doing something to degrade the performance of other services.
The Future of Speed Test
Hopefully, connection speed will be better in the future. There is a recent battle between the net neutrality movement who believes that all traffic is equal and the ISPs and others who contradict the claim. Who will win the battle cannot be determined yet. However, if the ISP is true, then your connection speed and the web will suffer. But if it is the other way around, then there is no longer need to rely on a internet connection speed test to make sure that what you are paying for is worth it.