subject: How to test your internet speed if you suspect it is slower than what you are paying for [print this page] Nothing can be more irritating than to realise that the broadband speed you are paying for may not be what you're receiving. There are a few routes on the Internet that will allow you to test your Internet speed for free to see if you're truly getting what you pay for.
Broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk is probably one of the most simple website to test your speed. There is a large button that says "Start Speed Test". By clicking that, it will run a quick scan and then tell you the download and upload speeds of your Internet. Just beware of advertisements, this website is loaded with them!
Zdnet.co.uk/broadband-speedtest is very similar to the other website. Just select your current location from the list (ex: home, work, school, other) and it takes off all on its own.
Speedtest.net provides a little more user interaction. This site shows blue and yellow stars all over a map. By hovering your mouse over one, it provides a small drop-down list of locations. Select which location you'd like to test your broadband provider speed against and off it goes. The yellow star is usually the closest and fastest method.
Thinkbroadband.com/speedtest.html is similar to others. This website allows you to have a user account that you can record and save your speed test on the website and compare it to others. This website gives you a small questionnaire to fill out once testing is completed before you can see your results. If you don't want to bother with it, just click the "I am not using a broadband connection / My ISP is not listed above" and it will then take you to see your results.
Take into consideration any internet speed test programs that may be open utilising your Internet connection. This will lower the speed and not give accurate test results. If your internet speed seems to be a number close to what you were quoted and are paying for and still seems too slow, maybe consider contacting your internet service provider to ask about faster internet speeds they may offer. If the speed is lower than you were quoted, contact your broadband provider anyway and have them check into it from their end.
How to test your internet speed if you suspect it is slower than what you are paying for
