Internet speeds

[dorsetdave]

I have downloaded the Ookla Speedtest app and run it several times. Download mbps range from 30.02 to 31.78. Uploads Mbps 1.97 to 2.53. Ping ms 22 to 30. Can anyone explain why there is such a difference in these figures. Thanks.

 

[Rukbat]

Between the high and low figures or between upload and download?

Upload is typically 10% (give or take) of the download speed, for historical reasons.

The difference between 30.02 and 31.78 or between 1.97 and 2.53 is due to the fact that traffic is dynamic - it changes moment by moment. And your speed from point A to point B is determined, in part, by the amount of traffic going from point A to point B.

(Ping is the amount of time it takes for a packet of data to go from you to point B and back - and it has very little to do with speed. But high ping times can kill you if you're gaming.)

 

[dorsetdave]

Hi Rukbat. Thanks for the clear explanation, very interesting read. Just wanted to be sure I was getting my money's worth from Virgin broadband.

 

[Rukbat]

Under 50ms ping is good (under 20 is great), If you're paying for 30mbps download you're getting what you're paying for. If you're paying for 20mbps, keep quiet and enjoy it.