How to test 3G Throughput

vodacom3g

Vodacom Representative
Joined
Jan 14, 2005
Messages
12,065
Reaction score
2
Location
(mostly) Plattekloof, Cape Town
There's been an active discussion on the forum about what speeds one should get. Problem is when you run a throughput test, you're not really sure about the path you're testing, so although the number is valid, why was it slow and where was it slowed down?

You first need to understand the network topology, then run tests that test the individual components. You can then make logical deductions on where bottlenecks occur.

1) Test no.1: Datacard to Internet APN.

ftp to smtp.vodacom.co.za as anonymous, download binary file-3.3MB.

2) Test no 2: Local ISP access: Datacard to local ISP.

ftp to ftp.is.co.za as anonymous, download any file, but at least a few-100Kb.

3) Test no 3: International access: Data card to International site

I need to find a nice site, that has enough bandwidth and server capacity not to be to affected by activity local to that server, so we can get a feel for the international throughput. Any suggestions? BIG server in New York? :confused:

If you think you have a throughput problem, it'll help greatly to have some of these numbers to help us pinpoint potential problems.
 
My results

At 14:15 in Bellville with 2 bars, I got, over 5 tests:

Test 1: 270 - 280 Kb/s
Test 2: 155 - 186 Kb/s
Test 3: 80 - 110 Kb/s (using performance.toast.net, tx! JayT)
 
test 1) average 380 kb/s
test 2) (cant find a big file)
test 3) average 227 kb/s (toast.net)


(bars 0, I don't use the dash)
 
Last edited:
1.) 82.09Seconds 40.97Kbytes/sec. = 327kb/s
2.) shucks, where did you find a file vodacom3g? I searched all over the place in the different directories
3.) Your throughput: 259* K

Wilgeheuwel 3 Bars
 
oh yes, lewstherin, guess it also depends on what you using the service for. And as Vodacom3G has already stated, it depends on upline network status as to your speed. Show me which ever connection you using (iBust is it?) and show me that it gives you 1MB/sec on ALL of the tests. Oh yes, don't forget WBS are planning on limiting anything other than mail & web to 64k. Stop being so synical. Infact, show me any connection, anywhere in the world, that ALL of these test give 100% maximum throughput, everytime. I have ADSL at the office, have had Sentech, iBust & am now on 3G.... 3G ROCKS!!!!! time and time again. Personally my ADSL rocks too, never had a problem, but can't put it in my laptop case and take it with me can I? And I am not even using an external antenna, which it appears is not solving WBS's problems anyway now that they FINALLY have them! So luckily for me I did not wait like the rest of you idiots for the antenna's.
 
vodacom3d
I thought that you found one. The largest file I found was just over 100kb and took 2 secs to down load :D
(edited this post twice, must be either drunk or asleep)
 
1.) 3363328 bytes received in 87.67Seconds 38.36Kbytes/sec.

2.) Telkom Line Speed Test
Your line speed is approximately 193.4 Kbps or 23.7 kBytes/sec

3.) ADSL Guide.org.uk
Downstream 61 Kbps (7.6 KB/sec) 65 Kbps (inc. overheads)
Upstream 17 Kbps (2.1 KB/sec) 18 Kbps (inc. overheads)


V3G, I have noticed the last few evenings things have decreased noticeably. I guesses it is a load situation. Is Vodacom prepared to release any stats on this front, i.e. how much bandwidth you have available, usage, etc etc?

Has Vodacom got plans to implement more bandwidth? Seems like there is an international problem here.

Comments?
 
TCP/Web100 Network Diagnostic Tool v5.2.1e
click START to begin
Checking for Middleboxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Done
running 10s outbound test (client to server) . . . . . 18.55Kb/s
running 10s inbound test (server to client) . . . . . . 11.04kb/s
 
vodacom3g said:
2) Test no 2: Local ISP access: Datacard to local ISP.

ftp to ftp.is.co.za as anonymous, download any file, but at least a few-100Kb.

This is the file I use. It's nearly the same size as the one in test 1.

1) ftp to ftp.is.co.za
username 'anonymous'
password 'root@'
2) cd /x/R1
3) bin
4) prompt
5) mget X*

The actual filename is something horrible, so just do a wildcard get. There is only one match.
 
Last edited:
test 2

ftp> get X.V11R1.tar.gz
200 PORT command successful. Consider using PASV.
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for X.V11R1.tar.gz (3672930 bytes).
226 File send OK.
ftp: 3672930 bytes received in 204.64Seconds 17.95Kbytes/sec.
ftp>
 
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X