Why is Chorus Fibre Lab so important for speed tests?

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weegie

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#320418 11-Aug-2025 22:14

Hi peeps.

Moved to a new ISP for fibre and having issues with the speed I'm getting - at least according to every speed test I do that doesn't use "Chorus Fibre Lab"

Expecting >900Mbps but getting between 300 - 500Mbps when testing with fast.com, chorus speed test, all the other ISP speed tests and even on speedtest.net (from Ookla) UNLESS I choose Chorus Fibre Lab which then spits out between 700-830Mbps...

Customer service seems to regard using that server as the only valid one and my question is why?

Prior to my new ISP, was getting over 900Mbps but not now...

Have ensured my router is gigabit capable, test only with ethernet connection, router set up according to new ISP instructions, turned router off and on at the mains etc...

Thanks for tips.

Lias

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#3401915 11-Aug-2025 23:01

Without more information it's hard to be definitive and I am only partially qualified to comment, but this might be why they are saying that.

That speedtest server is, as you may have guessed from the name, hosted by Chorus, on a connection with oodles of bandwidth. By virtue of it being hosted at Chorus, it probably has better peering/routing than any other speedtest server you can access. It's certainly considered the gold standard to test against by the geek/telco crowd around here.

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#3401924 12-Aug-2025 06:16

Which ISP were you on and what ISP did you move to?

cddt

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#3401936 12-Aug-2025 07:32

What model router?

Choice of device and web browser can also impact speed test results.

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#3401942 12-Aug-2025 08:23

Did you move for cheaper broadband?

saf

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#3401947 12-Aug-2025 09:00

I wouldn't say it's more "important" than other speedtest servers, however there are some potential reasons why Chorus' speedtest server gets more clout.

Each ISP needs to arrange links to other ISPs, content providers, and networks both domestically and internationally. These are commonly facilitated by a neutral peering exchange where multiple parties join and exchange traffic with each other (e.g. AKL-IX, MegaIX, EdgeIX etc).
The overwhelming majority of providers in New Zealand peer at these exchanges, and transfer traffic to and from each other, however there are some exclusions, the large one being Spark. Spark do not peer across internet exchanges in New Zealand, meaning for providers who want to connect with Spark's network, they must pay Spark.
This is a good example, as this pay-to-connect mechanism means providers pay Spark for a certain amount of megabits (Mbps) in a link to them. Where bandwidth=money, they'll be more cautious on the amount of bandwidth to give the pipe, resulting in the potential for congestion or lower speeds to Spark's speedtest servers from outside their network, as an example.

The other, likely less legitimate reasoning is any perceived perception of an ISP recommending a test to another providers speedtest server who they're in the market competing with, which could be seen as either endorsing the competition, or perhaps they're hesitant on recommending another ISPs speedtest server under a perceived or actual illusion that the other provider may be preferring tests within their own network.

On the other hand, Chorus is neutral, both in that they are not an ISP, and that their speedtest server peers at AKL-IX, a neutral peering exchange. This alleviates both of the above points.

TLDR: Chorus is neutral and doesn't play preference to ISPs, whereas ISP-operated speedtest servers could have varying levels of bandwidth or perceived as playing favourites.

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robjg63

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#3401998 12-Aug-2025 09:30

I am on Bigpipe (spark) fibre (500/100).

I ran an Ookla speedtest using both Spark and Chorus.

Wasn't much difference to be honest - From memory something like 520 and 110.

As mentioned above, Chorus is probably the best resourced server to test against and ISP neutral - so probably reflects the raw connection best.

Other test servers have other variables that could affect the results.

Might be useful to mention your 'new ISP'.

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MichaelNZ

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#3402047 12-Aug-2025 12:46

Chorus and most of the ISP's in NZ are connected at NZIX. Spark is the obvious exception.

If you use Spark use their Speed Test server.

Otherwise just select the one which gives the fastest speed test result.

I have never seen any evidence of ISP's manipulating Speed Tests. More likely explanations are the load on the server at the time and the capabilities of the installed NIC. Seen my share of Gbps NIC's that don't do anywhere near a gig.

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michaelmurfy

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#3402060 12-Aug-2025 13:34

MichaelNZ: Chorus and most of the ISP's in NZ are connected at NZIX. Spark is the obvious exception.

Spark actually do on AS4771 but don't peer with the route servers. They're just there to consume one resource who refuse to peer with them.

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MichaelNZ

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#3402068 12-Aug-2025 13:51

michaelmurfy:

Spark actually do on AS4771 but don't peer with the route servers.

That is my informal understanding too (even though they are not listed) so what I said is pitched at the average audience who don't speak our language of BGP.

But they are on the route servers at NSW-IX which is where we meet them.

In summary the NZIX Peering list is the who's who of NZ ISP's. It my personal opinion people should use this in making a choice.

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saf

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#3402071 12-Aug-2025 14:18

MichaelNZ:

That is my informal understanding too (even though they are not listed) so what I said is pitched at the average audience who don't speak our language of BGP.

But they are on the route servers at NSW-IX which is where we meet them.

In summary the NZIX Peering list is the who's who of NZ ISP's. It my personal opinion people should use this in making a choice.

They're listed on the NZIX looking glass: https://lg.ix.nz/routeservers/rs1-akl-v4?q=spark

Obviously their BGP sessions are down however as they don't peer with the route servers.

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weegie

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#3402229 12-Aug-2025 20:18

Wow! Thank you geeks!

I guess the general wisdom is that speedtesting using the Chorus Fibre Labs server is likely the most accurate.

Yeah, I moved to a cheper ISP and I guess you get what you pay for.

It's not yet a week so here's hoping...