The upload and download speed of your internet connection decides how fast you can transfer data across the web. The speed of your connection is largely due to the type of subscription you have signed up with your ISP (internet connection provider), but also to other factors. Continue reading this article to find out your current upload and download speed.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Know the Terminology
Step 1. Learn the unit of measure for the connection speed
This factor is measured in Mbps. This abbreviation means Megabits per second. The Mbps unit of measurement is a standard method for calculating the data transfer rate. The most important thing you need to take note of is that Mb (megabit) is different from MB (megabyte).
- The size of the files is usually indicated in megabytes (MB).
- One Megabit equals 1048576 bits, which translates to approximately 125 kilobytes (KB). A Megabyte is made up of 1024 KB.
- This means that a 10Mbps connection can download up to 1.25MBps.
Step 2. Learn the basics of connecting to a server
A connection is managed by a computer that has the role of server. The server is the point from which you get the information. Servers are physical computers, and the distance from your computer to the server has a major impact on the speed of your connection.
All other things being equal, information is downloaded faster from a server that is 10 km away than one that is 500 km away
Step 3. Learn the difference between uploads and downloads
When you download information, it means that you are receiving (downloading) data from the server. While if you upload, it means that you are sending (uploading) data to the server. Normally, an internet connection is much faster for downloading than for uploading.
Step 4. Learn the meaning of the word ping
Ping is a program used to check the status of a connection and to measure its 'time'. This means that the ping measures how long it takes for the information from the source of the connection to arrive at the other end, that is, at its destination. In reality, this value only affects the time between the download request and the actual start of the data transfer, and not the speed of the download itself.
Method 2 of 2: Run a speed test
Step 1. Find a test on the web
There are many sites that offer this service for free. Normally, three basic parameters of your connection are tested: ping, download speed and upload speed.
Step 2. Select the server closest to you
Normally, to perform a test of this type, it is necessary to select a point on the web with which to establish a connection and then test its quality. Often a list of servers is provided to choose from and then run the test. Many of these websites automatically choose the optimal server for your location.
- A server physically closer to your location will generate a better test result.
- You can run this test with a server located anywhere in the world, so you can see how long it takes to download a file from another country.
Step 3. Run the test
Wait a few moments for the test file to be sent to your computer. The results will be expressed in Mbps. Compare the actual speed of your connection with that indicated by your ISP.
Advice
- The speed of a fiber optic or ADSL internet connection is affected by the number of users connected at the same time. Normally the difference is negligible, but it can become evident in times of very heavy traffic.
- A quality telephone line and the length of the twisted pair have a major impact on the final speed of an ADSL line.
- Many speed tests that run on the web require Java to run.
