Ever wondered if your internet speeds are as fast as they should be? Imagine paying for a high-speed connection but experiencing slow downloads and constant buffering during video calls. How can you tell if you are getting what you are promised by your Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Internet speed plays an important role in our day-to-day life. From streaming movies in high definition and staying connected through video calls to working remotely and gaming online, a fast and reliable internet connection is important for efficient internet internet activity. As it directly impacts our productivity, entertainment experiences, communication capabilities, and even our ability to access services like online banking and healthcare. A fast internet speed enables smoother and more responsive interactions in our daily activities.

What is an internet speed test?

Internet speed test is a tool that measures the performance of your internet connection. The test provides information about the speed and quality of your internet service, helping you understand how well your internet connection can handle various online activities.

How Does the Internet Speed Test Work?

An internet speed test works by measuring metrics like ping test, download speed, upload speed, jitter and finally analysing the speed test result.

1. Determining your location: When you start a speed test, the first step it starts with is to identify your location in other to connect you to a server within close proximity to your location. You are connected to a server within your location to minimise latency and have a more accurate result. However, some test allows you to change the server you are connected to.

2. Ping test: The ping test is the next step after connecting to a server. This test measures the roundtrip time it takes for data to travel from your device to the test server and back again. This is measured in milliseconds (ms); the lower your ping value, the better speed you get. Ping is also referred to as latency. Having low latency is important for real-time applications like online gaming or streaming HD videos to enhance user experience.

3. Download test: After ping, the download test begins. The download speed measures the rate at which data is downloaded from the internet to your device. The download test works by opening multiple connections to test the server for multiple downloads. At the end of the test, it measures how long it takes to download dat and calculates the download speed depending on the amount of data it downloaded. Keep in mind that a higher download speed is required for most internet activities, which determines how fast any data-consuming task can be completed.

4. Upload speed test: Upload speed is the next stop, which is similar to the download test but in reverse. Upload test measures the rate at which data is transferred from your device to the internet, also measured in Mbps. The test measures how long it takes to send these chunks and calculates the upload speed based on the amount of data transferred over time. A higher upload test determines how quickly you can send data to others or upload files to cloud storage.

5. Analysis and Report: After testing the ping, download and upload speed, the internet speed test tool will accumulate the result and provide a comprehensive report on the test. 

The test presentation is like this;

• Download speed: In Mbps, indicating how fast data is received from the internet.
• Upload Speed: Also displayed in Mbps. Shows how fast data is sent to the internet.
• Ping(latency): Displayed n milliseconds, indicating the roundtrip time for data.

Compiling all the results, as a user, you can compare their speed test result with the advertised speed from their provider to determine if they are getting the advertised speed and expected internet performance. If you got a lower speed at the end of the test, then there might be misinformation from your provider, network congestion or an issue with your network setup.

What to Consider Before Running an Internet Speed Test

To ensure you get an accurate internet speed test result, it’s important to make some considerations before running the test. 

• Close unnecessary applications and Devices, especially those that consume the internet, such as file downloads. Also, ensure to disconnect all devices from the network, including smartphones, TVs, and tablets.
• Restart your modem and router: Doing this will help refresh the connection and improve performance.
• Use a wired connection: Using a wired connection(Ethernet) means a faster and more stable wireless connection(WiFi) to reduce inconsistency in the result.
• Pause automatic updates: Temporarily stop any ongoing software updates that can consume significant data and affect test results.
• Run the test at different times of the day: Internet speed can vary depending on network congestion and peak usage times. Therefore, to get an accurate result, perform multiple tests throughout the day during peak and off-peak hours.
• Test with multiple devices: Testing with different devices can help identify device-specific or network-wide issues. Run the speed test on multiple devices (laptop, desktop, smartphone, tablet) to compare results. And ensure each device follows the same precautions for accuracy.
• Choose the right speed test tool:  Different speed test tools use different servers, which eventually affect internet speed test results. You can opt for tools like Ookla’s Speedtest or Fast.com. In other cases, you can use multiple tools to compare your test results.
• Look out for any interference: If you are using a wireless connection, your signals can be affected by interference from other electronic devices, walls, and other obstacles. For minimal interference, ensure your router is placed in the central and elevated location and move away from devices like phones or microwaves.

Importance of conducting Internet Speed Test

Conducting an internet speed test provides valuable insights into the performance of your internet connection. Here are several reasons why it is important to perform regular internet speed tests:

1. Ensure You’re Getting What You Pay For

Verify ISP Performance: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) advertise specific speeds for their plans. Conducting a speed test allows you to verify that you receive the speeds you pay for. If there is a significant discrepancy, you can address it with your ISP.

2. Identify Connection Issues

Speed tests can help diagnose issues with your internet connection. If you are experiencing slow internet, a speed test can confirm whether the issue is with your connection speed or with specific applications or devices. By running speed tests at different times and on different devices, you can pinpoint whether the issue is with your network or external factors like network congestion.

3. Optimize your Internet  Performance

Knowing your internet speeds allows you to optimise your online activities. For instance, if your download speed is slower than expected, you can avoid streaming high-definition videos during peak times or take steps to improve your Wi-Fi setup. Results from speed tests can guide you in making necessary adjustments to your network configuration, such as changing router settings, upgrading hardware, or repositioning your router for better signal strength.

4. Compare ISPs

It is important to conduct Speed tests when you intend to switch ISPs. By comparing the performance of different providers, you can choose the one that offers the best speeds and reliability in your area.

5. Enhance Streaming and Gaming Experience

Streaming services require a certain bandwidth for different quality levels. Speed tests ensure that your connection meets the requirements for smooth playback without buffering. Online gaming is highly sensitive to latency and jitter. Speed tests help you maintain a low-latency connection for an optimal gaming experience.

6. Support Multiple Users and Devices

In households with multiple users and devices, speed tests help manage bandwidth effectively. Knowing your actual speeds allows you to allocate bandwidth and avoid congestion during peak usage times.

Tips for Accurate Internet Speed Testing

• Close Unnecessary Applications: Ensure no other applications are using the internet during the test.
• Use a Wired Connection: Connect your device directly to the router using an Ethernet cable for the most accurate results.
• Run Multiple Tests: Perform tests at different times of the day to get a comprehensive picture of your internet speed.
• Check Multiple Devices: Test from different devices to rule out device-specific issues.

By understanding how an internet speed test works and the factors that can influence the results, you can get the most accurate measurement of your internet connection’s performance.

Conclusion

Conducting internet speed tests is a simple yet powerful way to ensure your internet connection meets your needs and expectations. By regularly testing your speeds, you can verify your ISP’s performance, troubleshoot issues, optimise your network, and make informed decisions about your internet service. Maintaining a reliable and fast internet connection is crucial in today’s connected world, whether for work, education, streaming, gaming, or general browsing.