Broadband Speed Test Update
Since launching our speed test in mid-October we've received loads of feedback from the thousands of people who use the test every day.
However due to a combination of our technology being brand new and the many different broadband connections there are we also had some teething problems.
We've created this page so you can stay up to date with things we're fixing, find out what's already been fixed, and help us improve further by reporting any problems you're having.
Our aim is to build the most accurate, easy to use speed test available, and then push things even further with innovative new tools like StreetStats. Your ideas and suggestions are essential to helping us do this, so thank you for the feedback so far and please keep it coming!
Contents
Known Issues
#0007 - Speed test reports slower speeds than other internet speed tests
Since launching the speed test we have made a significant number of improvements and are now confident we record speed as accurately as any other browser-based speed test.
However, there are a huge variety of factors affecting the results you get from a browser-based speed test, and because of this you are likely to see differences between different tests. Utimately browser-based speed tests can only give a guide to your connection speed.
Factors affecting the results you get from different tests include:
The speed test itself:
- The location of the speed test's servers
- The size and number of files the test uses to measure your speed
- The technology the speed test uses (for example Flash, java or another technology)
Your own computer and connection:
- The spec of the computer you are using to run the test
- The browser you are using to load the test page
- The routing between your computer and the test server
- If you are using WiFi, small fluctuations in signal strength
- The time of day you run the test
- Any other software on your computer (or other computers on your network) that are using the internet while you are testing
#0009 - I am on a 50Mb connection but the speed test reports a much lower speed
We are aware of an issue where speed may not be accurately reported on super-fast connections over 50Mb. We are constantly working to improve the speed test for these connections. If you have a super-fast connection and would like to help with testing new versions of the speed test, please get in touch via our contacts page.
#0011 - StreetStats show impossible speed/provider combinations
The data currently shown on our StreetStats was collected in September and early October 2009 using our previous speed test which asked people to manually enter their provider and location. This made the system open to abuse, as people could an inaccurate location and/or provider, which would be translated into a meaningless marker on StreetStats (for example a very fast connection in a rural area).
With our new speedtest we have worked hard to reduce this problem by creating a system to automatically detect your broadband provider, which we think is the best around. Once we start adding new data to StreetStats we will only add tests where the provider was automatically detected to avoid inaccurate results occurring.
We’ve developed StreetStats to be the most helpful tool of its kind available. We were the first to develop something like this, and inevitably with so much data in our maps, it’s possible you might uncover the odd strange result, so please contact us if you find something strange.
Resolved issues
#0010 - StreetStats don't show my speed test result (Resolved 28th October 2009)
While we had some teething problems with our speed test we decided not to add new data to our StreetStats maps, so that the maps did not show inaccurate data.
This problem is now resolved and we are importing new data to the maps daily.
Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for your test result to show up in StreetStats. It is also possible for other people with the same postcode as you to run tests. This can 'overwrite' your result as we display the most recent test each postcode on the map.
#0008 - Speed test uses 100% of my computer's CPU (Resolved 27th October 2009)
An issue affecting lower spec computers caused the speed test to use a large amount of the computer's processor power (CPU). This caused the speed test to under-report speed as it becomes constrained by CPU and cannot cope with the data being sent to and from the test to measure your speed.
To fix the problem we intensively optimised the code and rewrote a large portion of the speed test. The speed test now records results accurately on lower spec computers as well as more modern high spec computers.
#0006 - Results graph shows speeds that aren't achievable in my area (Resolved 27th October 2009)
The bar graph on the results stage of the speed test (after your speed test finishes) was showing an average of broadband provider's speeds across the whole of the UK, instead of speeds relevant to your area.
To fix the problem we changed the graph to only show average speeds of users that are connected to the same telephone exchange as you, giving much more accurate data on local broadband speeds.
#0005 - The speed test hangs towards the end of the upload test (Resolved 21st October 2009)
We isolated this problem to people that had Adobe Flash 9 installed (about 14% of people) and have now fixed it so the speed test is working in Flash 9 and Flash 10.
#0004 - Results section shows providers and products that aren't available in my area (Resolved 21st October 2009)
This issue is now fixed, and you will only see broadband providers and products that are available in your area. Bear in mind that Virgin Media offer an ADSL product so you will still see them appearing in non-cable areas.
#0003 - Speed test reports faster speeds than my connection is capable of (Resolved 20th October 2009)
This issue was caused by your browser or ISP caching the files we download to in order to test your connection. This meant once one file had been downloaded your browser was able to download the other test files instantly from the browser cache, artificially increasing your speed.
To fix this we put in place measures to stop your browser or ISP caching test files. Every time you run the test it will download a 'fresh' file and report an accurate speed to you.
#0002 - Clicking "retest" reports a different speed to first test I ran (Resolved 20th October 2009)
This issue was caused by some data not being completely reset to zero when you started the test again. Although this issue is fixed, it is still possible that your speed will vary slightly between tests. This can be due to combination of factors such as changes in your wireless signal strength or other software or people on your network using the internet while your test is in progress.
#0001 - I can't load the speed test (Resolved 19th October 2009)
Due to massive demand when we launched our new speed test, plus huge amounts of traffic coming from coverage in the BBC, Telegraph and other news sources our servers were temporarily overloaded on the 19th October.
We've since optimised the code used to run the speed test and invested in server infrastructure so that the speed test will always be available for you to use.
Found a bug?
Due to all the different flavours of broadband available it's impossible for us to test for every possible combination - so we really value your feedback in helping us test and improve the system.
If the speed test isn't working for you or you've spotted something strange please get in touch with us via our contact page. We read all feedback we receive and try to respond wherever possible.
Stay up to date
To keep up to date with changes and new features we're making to the speed test you can follow us on Twitter (@top10) or subscribe to our broadband blog or broadband news. We will also update this page as we continue to improve things.
