If you are unsure that the internet speed that your connection is attaining is the same as what your internet service provider states that you should be able to get, then a broadband speed test may be in order. This test is carried out by sending and receiving packets of data to and from internet servers around the world. There are many internet web sites that offer reliable broadband speed tests for users to check their data transfer speeds with servers in different parts of the world. There is also software that has been developed to do the same thing, though web sites are much more popular. To conduct a broadband speed test, follow these steps:

-Initially, you must either load the desired test software or visit an internet web site that offers testing facilities.

-Some applications will then ask you what area in the world you would like to test the data transfer speeds with your connection. Though with most applications, there is a default server attached to the website or software that you are using.

-Stage 1 of the test will be the latency test. Latency, or ping, is the time, in milliseconds, it takes for data packets to get from one sender to a receiver. Ping speeds can range quite drastically depending on the internet connection infrastructure of the country in question. Good latency speeds are generally around 20 to 45ms in developed countries, whereas countries that have yet to build a good data transfer infrastructure, the latency could easily be over half a second.

-The next stage will be a download speed test. Your computer will then attempt to receive packets of data sent by the broadband speed test applications server. The speed at which the packets are received by your computer will determine your internet download speed.

-The next test will be an upload test. Data packets will then be sent from your computer, up to the server. The speed at which they are received will ascertain your data upload capacity.

-The application will then tell you your maximum upload and download speeds which will be taken from the highest speed reached in the upload and download tests.

Be sure to remember that distance plays a big factor in the speed of your connection. The further away you are from a particular server, then the more wires and gateways and bottlenecks there are to reduce your internet speeds.