There are many different broadband speed test services on the internet, some of which are unreliable because they only measure your speed there and then. There are also rumors that some broadband providers can make their speeds look faster by tricking the broadband speed test itself, so be aware of this when testing your speed.

Broadband speed test can be extremely accurate as some use a system clock to judge your downloads over an average period of time. They can have built-in lists of service providers – so if you are in the UK, the broadband speed test should be able to assess your connection no matter where you are or who your broadband provider is.

Almost all broadband speed test providers are completely free, you should pay for a speed test. There is no need to download an expensive package on to your computer and there is no risk of picking up viruses or spyware using these online free speed test tools.

What to do if you are unhappy with the results of your speed test

Perform more than one Speed Test

Firstly, make sure you use at least two or more different speed testers so that that you can confirm the speed results. Then if possible take a screen print of the results page just in case your service provider wants evidence.

If you find you are not receiving anything like the speeds you expected when you bought your broadband package, there are several courses of action to consider.

1. You can contact your internet service provider and ask them if there is anything they can do to increase your speed. The fact is that they advertise speeds “up to” the mark you are supposed to receive – and therefore, it is not false advertising if you don’t actually get close to the speed you desire. However, if they fear they may lose your custom they might be willing to upgrade your package to increase the likelihood of you receiving faster speeds.
2. You could choose to move to a different broadband provider. Bear in mind however, that this will not guarantee you faster speeds – and you will be tied into a new fixed term contract.
3. Alternatively, you could downgrade your package to one that offers slower download speeds to avoid paying extra for a service you’re not receiving. Of course you should carry out several broadband speed tests before taking this course of action to ensure your connection is not being affected by external factors, such as the weather.