Ask Our Expert

How do I know what broadband speed I'm getting?

Our Broadband Expert says...

The only way to really know how your broadband is performing is to run a speed test.

You can use our free, online broadband speed tester to find out exactly how fast your connection is.

All you need to find out what speed you're getting is your postcode, provider and package details.

You’ll get a detailed list of results - including your download and upload speeds, and your ping and latency levels, which measure how quickly your computer communicates with a host service. Low latency and ping are important for online gamers, for example.

Latency and ping over 100Ms (milliseconds) would be considered high, though whether or not this will affect your online experience will depend on how you’re using your internet connection.

You'll also be able to see the average speed delivered by your provider across the UK, as well as the average delivered by rival suppliers.

Getting an accurate speed test result

To get a real idea of the actual speed you're getting from your broadband provider, you should run a number of tests at different times of the day.

Broadband speeds can vary massively between peak and off-peak times, so you should find out what your connection is like during the day and at busy evening times.

So if your connection seems slow, you'll be able to work out if there is an actual problem, or if it is due to peak time congestion and possible traffic management put in place by your provider to regulate the service.

You should also bear in mind that the average speeds you see below your own results are taken from the whole of the UK - you might get a faster or slower actual connection depending on where you live and should always ask for a speed estimate before switching broadband provider

Advertised speeds vs actual broadband speeds

Broadband satisfaction is at a four-year low, according to our own research in March. This is in large part because of the gulf between advertised and actual broadband speeds.

Research by telecoms regulator Ofcom released in March 2011 found that consumers receive just 45% of their advertised speed.

So the best way to make sure you're not disappointed is to find out what kind of broadband speeds you can expect before you sign-up.

Various factors affect your connection but if you're using your landline to access the internet, then your distance from the exchange will be the issue most likely to slow you down.

The cable network used by Virgin Media (www.Virginmedia.com) to deliver superfast connections to around half the UK far outperformed rivals in the Ofcom study, delivering between 90-96% of its advertised speeds.

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at OurExpert@broadbandchoices.co.uk

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