by Kimberley Heit

Created on: May 03, 2008

You can check your Internet connection speed or bandwidth in three ways. You can log into your Internet service provider account, you can perform a speed check on a website and your computer can provide you with this information. However, it is not uncommon to end up with a different bandwidth speed from each of the above tests. This article evaluates why these variations exist and provides step by step instructions on how to check your Internet connection speed.

When I personally perform the three tests above I get a very different bandwidth result for each test. My Internet service provider account shows that I have a connection speed of 1.5 mbps . When I Check my connection speed in Windows Vista it reveals the Internet connection speed is 100 mbps . When I perform a speed test through a website my Internet connection speed is 0.567 mbps .

So why do these variations exist? Well the first test really only shows the type of plan I am connected to with my Internet service provider. This speed is the best case scenario if all other variables operate optimally.

My computer shows a much higher speed of 100 mbps . This is a measure of the speed from my computer to my modem. As this is only a local network and not affected by other variables it is the fastest speed. I will not be able to achieve this speed using the Internet because my connection plan only offers a speed up to 1.5 mbps . So in effect it is just a measure of my modems speed capabilities.

However, there is still a large difference between what my Internet service provider claims to offer me (1.5 mbps ) and what an Internet speed test reveals I am receiving (0.567 mbps ). There can be several reasons for this.

The first major variable is how far your connection is from the telephone line exchange or cable distribution point. The further you are from this point the further the information has to travel and thus the slower your connection will be.

Secondly, your speed is dependent on how many users are connected to this cable or line. If too many people are sharing the line it will be over utilized and speeds will be slower. In this case your speed will probably fluctuate at different times during the day. It will be faster when less people are using the connection and slower at peak usage times. For example I performed the speed test on my connection at a different time to the first test and my bandwidth at this time was higher at 0.719 mbps .

Finally, the service your Internet service provider offers can

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