Local Speedtest.net server problem
Speedtest.net has become a popular destination for Internet users to test their downlink and upload speeds. The website sports a user friendly interface and a multitude of testing servers across the globe – including Cape Town and Johannesburg based testing sites.
The Johannesburg server is hosted by Altech Technology Concepts, well known for its ADSL bonding technology, with adequate bandwidth to provide accurate results for local broadband services.
The same can not be said for the Cape Town based service. The Cape Town server is hosted by NewTech Technology Services, and comparative testing gives a strong indication that the company does not provide adequate bandwidth to support local broadband speed tests.
While the Johannesburg based Speedtest.net results typically show download speeds of between 3.5 Mbps and 4 Mbps on a 4 Mbps ADSL connection, it was not possible to exceed download speeds of around 0.7 Mbps, independent of the broadband connection used.
According to Cybersmart MD Laurie Fialkov the inaccurate Cape Town based Speedtest.net results is causing them “an unbelievable amount of support calls” from subscribers concerned about their low line speeds.
Fialkov told MyBroadband that the NewTech Technology Services speed test – and hence the Speedtest.net Cape Town based test – is most likely hosted on an ADSL line, making accurate results impossible for broadband connections.
Fialkov presented proof that NewTech Technology Services are actually using an ADSL line to host the speed test, including that the IP address resolves to dsl-145-80-47.telkomadsl.co.za.
“It seems the server access is running on our backup 4Mbps ADSL line, there must have been a problem with the leased line,” said Patrick Heynecke from Newtech Technology Services. Heynecke said that Newtech will attend to it right away and remove the speedtest for the time being.
South African broadband users are advised to avoid the Cape Town operated Speedtest.net server until the problem with bandwidth allocation is addressed.
Speedtest.net results discussion
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