How does SpeedTest reflect the ISP performance

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › How does SpeedTest reflect the ISP performance - if at all

ITStuff

14 posts

Geek

#261473 29-Nov-2019 15:16

Having moved fro MyRepublic to Orcon in October 2019, I transitioned from download speeds of mostly 900Mbps to 2-300mbps.

I've been working with Orcon for a month and whilst they say their side shows 900+, I have only once seen that sort of speed.

If I run SpeedTest to Stuff Fibre server I get around 900

Same with Uber (Whangarei)

Orcon just sticks at 2-300.

So my argrument is that I am paying for Gig Service but getting much less.

Their argument is that as I get 900 from Stuff and Uber, and that they have tested at 900, my 2-300 test to Orcon is irrelevant (I paraphrase - "ignore the numbers" was what was actually said)

So after finally getting grumpy they tell me if I want to leave I can do so with no penalty.

All I really want to know is

1. does the speed test I run reflect the service I am being provided?

2. would it have been fairer just to charge for the actual level of service?

They are saying options are

1. stay on GIG and suck it up

2. reduce to 100/20 (not sure if thats enough for uploading graphics and videography files)

3. go elsewhere (but be released from the early termination fee).

Any thoughts from fellow consumers out there?

Thanks

Mal

hio77

12999 posts

Uber Geek

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Lizard Networks

#2362978 29-Nov-2019 15:22

Honestly, It's not just orcon that faces issue with this.

There are some weird thing that go on in the black box that is ookla server software.

You are getting full gig, off network too as confirmed by the stuff result. Your just experience slow results to the orcon servers.

While not ideal, this confirms a few things.

1. Your connection is capable of gbit speeds

2. Your connection is getting full gbit Off-network

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2362980 29-Nov-2019 15:29

There is absolutely nothing there to suggest there is anything wrong with your connection. Orcon have no doubt decided it's much easier to let you out of a contact since you're so unhappy because there is nothing more they can do when you don't appear to have an actual fault.

One of the problems with a number of speedtest.net servers at present is the servers being absolutely smashed by people running constant tests 24/7 against these servers which means the servers are not delivering accurate results. Lots of Ubiquiti users in particular are having a huge negative impact.

kobiak

1615 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2362983 29-Nov-2019 15:37

just do real world test:

- download linux iso from local and global mirrors
- download linux iso using torrent

this would give you a better idea what you're paying for.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#2362995 29-Nov-2019 15:49

Downloading itunes used to be a pretty good test.

Nvidia geforce drivers download pretty quick too.

Or, try the netflix powered speed test site...

fast.com

vexxxboy

4244 posts

Uber Geek

#2363014 29-Nov-2019 15:54

i am with Orcon and i find they do funny things with their download speeds. The speed tests are fine but i find if i start torrenting , i will do a speed test and my speed has dropped from 900 down to 20 and soon as i stop the torrent the speed goes straight back to 900, every time, and when downloading videos from you tube i am lucky to get double figures using Internet download manager, The isp before Orcon i was getting nearly full speed downloading on a Gig connection from You Tube and torrenting affected nothing.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

ITStuff

14 posts

Geek

#2363018 29-Nov-2019 16:00

Thanks Vexxxboy - any hint to who the previous ISP was?

hio77

12999 posts

Uber Geek

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Lizard Networks

#2363021 29-Nov-2019 16:03

vexxxboy:

i am with Orcon and i find they do funny things with their download speeds. The speed tests are fine but i find if i start torrenting , i will do a speed test and my speed has dropped from 900 down to 20 and soon as i stop the torrent the speed goes straight back to 900, every time, and when downloading videos from you tube i am lucky to get double figures using Internet download manager, The isp before Orcon i was getting nearly full speed downloading on a Gig connection from You Tube and torrenting affected nothing.

That kinda sounds more like an under-powered router and/or miss-configured torrent clients rather than a network thing... (Poorly configured torrent clients on public torrents just kill nat tables)

@sounddude should be able to confirm if they mess with traffic though (i'd bet not though..)

#include <std_disclaimer>

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Sounddude

I fix stuff!
1928 posts

Uber Geek

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2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#2363022 29-Nov-2019 16:05

hio77:

vexxxboy:

i am with Orcon and i find they do funny things with their download speeds. The speed tests are fine but i find if i start torrenting , i will do a speed test and my speed has dropped from 900 down to 20 and soon as i stop the torrent the speed goes straight back to 900, every time, and when downloading videos from you tube i am lucky to get double figures using Internet download manager, The isp before Orcon i was getting nearly full speed downloading on a Gig connection from You Tube and torrenting affected nothing.

That kinda sounds more like an under-powered router and/or miss-configured torrent clients rather than a network thing...

@sounddude should be able to confirm if they mess with traffic though (i'd bet not though..)

Nah we def don't play with traffic. Far too much work!, easier to just buy lots of bandwidth :-)

vexxxboy

4244 posts

Uber Geek

#2363068 29-Nov-2019 17:37

Sounddude:

hio77:

vexxxboy:

i am with Orcon and i find they do funny things with their download speeds. The speed tests are fine but i find if i start torrenting , i will do a speed test and my speed has dropped from 900 down to 20 and soon as i stop the torrent the speed goes straight back to 900, every time, and when downloading videos from you tube i am lucky to get double figures using Internet download manager, The isp before Orcon i was getting nearly full speed downloading on a Gig connection from You Tube and torrenting affected nothing.

That kinda sounds more like an under-powered router and/or miss-configured torrent clients rather than a network thing...

@sounddude should be able to confirm if they mess with traffic though (i'd bet not though..)

Nah we def don't play with traffic. Far too much work!, easier to just buy lots of bandwidth :-)

i have a Fritzbox 7490 and Orcon is the only ISP i have had the problem with, i have used torrents since they first started and have it down to a science. I was with Stuff before and never had a problem , i know Orcon dont play with traffic but i cant get away from the fact that this is the only ISP where it has happened and keeps happening.

Common sense is not as common as you think.