So you think speedtest.net results are accurate?

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › So you think speedtest.net results are accurate?

Talkiet

4787 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#113446 17-Jan-2013 10:47

I've noticed noticed this for a long time but decided to take a couple of screenshots to show it.

Setup:

ISP: Telecom Retail
Router: 2Wire
Phone: Galaxy S3 connected to router by 802.11g
Client: Official Speedtest.net android app

Screenshot of Speedtest.net app... these results are repeatable.

Screenshot of the ADSL stats for the router at the same time.

Now I think I know roughly how this happens, but to me (and anyone concerned as to how speedtest.net can report a physically impossible upload speed) this means I can not treat any of their reported results with any credibility.

Regards
Neil G

ps. Oh, the browser app to the same server (fast PC, connected by nice metally copper to the same router) gave more realistic 15.04/0.53 results.

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

joutei

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#746223 17-Jan-2013 11:04

I always find that the results on the mobile apps are not up to par. My line stats are similar to yours and I get around 15-16 mbps using the Wxchange server on my desktop using Chrome. Ethernet +1 :)

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mikerussellnz

283 posts

Ultimate Geek

#746264 17-Jan-2013 11:46

Possibly due to the wifi being 802.11g.

The usable bandwidth on 11g isn't that great and also it depends on the signal strength.

joutei

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#746305 17-Jan-2013 12:36

mikerussellnz: Possibly due to the wifi being 802.11g.

The usable bandwidth on 11g isn't that great and also it depends on the signal strength.

even so, it should be able to handle adsl2+ speeds.

mercutio

1392 posts

Uber Geek

#746308 17-Jan-2013 12:39

mikerussellnz: Possibly due to the wifi being 802.11g.

The usable bandwidth on 11g isn't that great and also it depends on the signal strength.

he's saying that his upload speed is about twice what's possible.

coffeebaron

6196 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#746315 17-Jan-2013 12:47

The mobile app doesn't seem seem to be as accurate as running form a browser on a PC - especially with the upload.
But generally I find speedtest.net to be a good general indication of performance or performance issues. I.E. if you are constantly getting a 2Mbps result Vs a 15Mbps result; then its a good indication that you are getting around 2Mbps, not 15, so does indicate the "trend" of you connection.

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mercutio

1392 posts

Uber Geek

#746317 17-Jan-2013 12:50

i've found mobile especially unreliable with upload, ping times, and selecting the right server.

and i've found the normal version can still overestimate download speed.

lxsw20

3508 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#746344 17-Jan-2013 13:57

WAN acceleration devices can mess with the results as well. Took me a little while to figure out how we were getting internet to a remote site 3x faster than our WAN link via our WAN link. Disable Exinda and started looking a little more accurate.

Beccara

1469 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#746345 17-Jan-2013 14:00

Dont Ookla admit that upload results are iffy because of the methods they use?

Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

All comment's I make are my own personal opinion and do not in any way, shape or form reflect the views of current or former employers unless specifically stated

mercutio

1392 posts

Uber Geek

#746347 17-Jan-2013 14:05

lxsw20: WAN acceleration devices can mess with the results as well. Took me a little while to figure out how we were getting internet to a remote site 3x faster than our WAN link via our WAN link. Disable Exinda and started looking a little more accurate.

the upload results are heavily compressible. i get 14 megabit upload on 1 megabit adsl uplink with compression.