Qwest vs Comcast speed tests

W9GFO

I've been using speeds tests such as SpeakEasy and DSL Reports for years to gauge my internet connection speed.

Just recently we moved and are now using Qwest. The service we are paying for is 20 Mbps. When we use the Qwest Speed test it reports a respectable 16 Mbps. However, every other speed test shows our connection to be 4 to 6 Mbps. The upload speed is consistent with all tests at around 700 Kbps. I've been running the tests for several days and the results are consistent.

When Qwest is asked why we only get the high speed to their server their response is that they cannot control the rest of the internet and that maybe we should try a different modem.

Since our connection speed as reported by Qwest's speed test is within the limits that they guarantee, they feel that there is nothing wrong - other than to suggest that we pay extra to lease a different modem - which does not make sense.

We used to have Comcast. With Comcast we were getting speeds in excess of what we were paying for, both up and down. With Qwest, we are getting close to what we are paying for - but only to Qwest's server.

It seems that Qwest is providing us with a high speed connection to Qwest, but is throttling our connection to the rest of the internet.

Before anyone asks, no, there is no file sharing or other bandwidth hogging activities going on here. We've had the service for only a week now.

Rich H

Mike Green

There are lots of factors that can affect internet speeds not the least of which is indeed throttling of connection speeds by your ISP. Speed tests are dependent on where you and the server are located, the overall load on the internet in your area and the server's area, etc. In general, I would not trust your ISP's speeds tests nor their speed claims. There are a variety of ways to tune these tests to bias them in favor of the ISP's claims.

HollyMinkowski

I only get 1.6 Mbps at home.
That's not even fast enough to watch youtube vids smoothly :-(

At work the speed is phenomenal though.

W9GFO

I found another, Speedtest.net, that reports speeds similar to the Qwest speed test. If I choose a server in Seattle or close by I get pretty good speeds, 10 Mbps or better. Most of the rest are 4 to 6 Mbps just like before.

So if I choose carefully I can get some good speeds. The difference however is that when I had Comcast, I had very good speeds, around 20 Mbps to most servers, I did not have to hunt around for a good result.

Rich H

icepuck

http://www.measurementlab.net/