How to choose server for regular internet and email (not just speed test)

[chrisc]

I've searched the CellC forums for this. Speedtest certainly enables you to choose a server to perform your speed test, and the different results are remarkable

My questions:

Using the CellC dashboard, how do you choose the preferred server, if you are able?
Using the modem in a TP-Link 3G router, how do you do it then?

Since the ping and download/upload speeds change so markedly from one server to another, cannot you choose which server to connect to?

PS: I live in Plumstead, Cape Town and have an E1820 with the 21mb/10Gb package

Thanks

 

[ginggs]

I've searched the CellC forums for this. Speedtest certainly enables you to choose a server to perform your speed test, and the different results are remarkable

My questions:

Using the CellC dashboard, how do you choose the preferred server, if you are able?
Using the modem in a TP-Link 3G router, how do you do it then?

Since the ping and download/upload speeds change so markedly from one server to another, cannot you choose which server to connect to?

PS: I live in Plumstead, Cape Town and have an E1820 with the 21mb/10Gb package

Thanks

Your email server is specified by your email service provider, you cannot choose another email server as they won't have any of your email.

Your server for 'regular internet' (I'm assuming you mean websites here) is the name of the server you type into the address bar. For example you type in www.mybroadband.co.za and you get the MyBroadband website from the MyBroadband web server. If you type in www.cellc.co.za it may load faster, but you will see the content on Cell-C's web server, not the content that's on MyBroadband's web server.

 

[chrisc]

Maybe I didn't elucidate my question properly.

On Speedtest, you can select which cellular data server you connect to for the purposes of the speed test. I am aware that your mail, web-pages, etc are generated by the host or mail server.

However, in the case of CellC, seeing there is a substantial difference in download speed changing from one server to another, is it not possible to lock your 3G modem to get its data from this particular location?

 

[ginggs]

On Speedtest, you can select which cellular data server you connect to for the purposes of the speed test.

You are not selecting a 'cellular data server', you are selecting a speed test web server which may happen to owned/operated by a cellular network provider, but is located in a data centre just like any other web/email server.

 

[chrisc]

Are some better than others? Why do the results from speed tests vary so much when you specify a different server?

 

[ginggs]

Are some better than others?

They shouldn't be, but it is possible that some speed test servers are underspec'd or overloaded.

Why do the results from speed tests vary so much when you specify a different server?

Most likely because some are better connected to your service provider than others, which is why we have a note on the first page of the speed test thread.