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Speed tests: What are they and how do they help?
Performing a speed test allows you to check how fast your device (mobile, laptop or computer) connects to the internet. If you’re struggling with your connection, running a speed test can help you determine what and where the problem might be.
WARNING: Do not click on any links or programs that promise to speed up your computer or internet connection – these are almost certainly a scam, and often contain malicious software. These links or ads are especially common in many popular speed testing websites.
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How to run a speed test
To find out how fast your internet should be, follow these simple steps.
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1Check Your Plan
Confirm the details of your plan provided by your internet provider. They’ll usually give you a maximum speed, but in reality, your speed might be a bit lower. For example, if you have a Sky Muster Plus 25/5 connection, it means you should get speeds up to 25 megabits per second (mbps) for downloads and 5 mbps for uploads.
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2Check Your Speed
Let’s say it’s a typical weeknight at 7 pm and you run a speed test. If you get around 21 mbps, that’s normal for your plan. But if it’s only 8 mbps, that’s a sign something might be wrong. It’s a good idea to test your speed on a few different websites to be sure.
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3Contact Your Rsp
If you detect an issue, show these speed test results to your internet provider when you contact them for help. Do not click on any links or programs that promise to speed up your computer or internet connection – these are almost certainly a scam, and often contain malicious software.
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Recommended Speed Test Sites
Category Speed Test Websites or Apps Description RSP (Retail Service Provider) Telstra Use for Telstra internet services. nbn® Sky Muster Plus Specifically for Sky Muster Plus satellite services. Won’t work for other plans. SkyMesh Works with various internet connections. Aussie Broadband Suitable for various internet connections. General Speed Test Websites Fast by Netflix Recommended for satellite connections. OzSpeedTest A general speed test website. Speedtest by Ookla A widely used speed test website. Speed of me Another general speed test website. Test My Net A general speed test website. Mobile Apps for Speed Testing Measuring Broadband Australia Sign up to regularly test and report internet speeds. Sam Knows Provides measurement and reporting on internet services. Available for iOS and Android devices. Go to your app store and search for “Sam Knows”. Created by the same people who run the ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia program. RSP (Retail Service Provider) Speed Test Websites or Apps and Description Telstra
Use for Telstra internet services.nbn® Sky Muster® Plus
Specifically for Sky Muster Plus satellite services. Won’t work for other plans.SkyMesh
Works with various internet connections.Aussie Broadband
Suitable for various internet connections.General Speed Test Websites Speed Test Websites or Apps and Description Fast by Netflix
Recommended for satellite connections.OzSpeedTest
A general speed test website.Speedtest by Ookla
A widely used speed test website.Speed of me
Another general speed test website.Test My Net
A general speed test website.Mobile Apps for Speed Testing Speed Test Websites or Apps and Description Measuring Broadband Australia
Sign up to regularly test and report internet speeds.Sam Knows
Provides measurement and reporting on internet services. Available for iOS and Android devices. Go to your app store and search for “Sam Knows”. Created by the same people who run the ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia program. -
How to understand your speed test results
A speed test will contain a range of information. The three key ones are:
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1Download Speed
Measured in megabits per second – Mbps. Communicates how fast information comes to your computer from the information source via your internet connection.
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2Upload Speed
Measured in megabits per second – Mbps. How fast information goes from your computer to the information source via your internet connection.
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3Latency (Lag)
Measured in ms (milliseconds). How quickly the request for information goes from your computer to the remote one and back to you again. It must come back before the content can be displayed. Latency is most noticeable in satellite connections as it includes the time it takes for information to reach the satellite dish in orbit and back again.
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A few things to remember:
- Always follow your service provider’s recommended testing method.
- Close unnecessary programs on your computer/device.
- Ensure no other devices use the internet simultaneously.
- Bypass or eliminate home equipment; connect directly to the modem via LAN cable for the best results.
- Wi-fi connections can cause poor performance; if testing over wi-fi, place your device close to the router and turn off other devices.
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Speed Test Example 1
In the test pictured to the right, we have a download speed of 24mbps, an upload speed of 2.9mbps, and a latency of 616ms.
This is a Sky Muster 25/5 connection, tested about 6 pm on a sunny weekday evening. It is therefore operating very well on download speeds, a bit slow on upload, and typical for latency.
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Speed Test Example 2
Now, compare a Telstra 4G connection at 6pm on a clear weekday evening, connected to a directional antenna on a 3m pole.
It shows 33 mbps download, 26 mbps upload, and a reasonably low (good) latency of 38 milliseconds. Overall, these results would indicate the internet connection speed is quite good.
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