So it’s important to make sure your internet won’t hold you back during the workday. If your provider isn’t meeting your minimum speed guarantee, you can complain to it directly. If fibre’s available at your postcode, it’s often the smarter choice.

Download speed test

You can also use the results to compare your broadband speed with other broadband deals available in your area. The Uswitch Broadband Speed Test is a free service that tells you your current internet speed in seconds. This causes the Fast Slots user’s bandwidth to be saturated, providing an accurate picture of their upload speed capacity.

What you can do if your broadband speeds are slow

If nothing seems to be wrong with your device, contact your current broadband provider for advice. When you see an internet speed of 40Mbps, that means about 5MB (one-eighth of that) will be transferred each second. The results also only show the speeds you’re getting on the device you’re using for the test.

Why you should run an internet speed test when working from home

Additionally, the test simultaneously requests multiple files to download at once. A small initial file is downloaded in order to gauge an approximate speed of the connection. Most broadband deals include a free Wi‑Fi router, though you may pay a small delivery or activation fee.

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• It refers to how many ‘megabits’ of data can be transferred to or from your device every second.

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• And it’s in this part of the journey that your speed can be affected.

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• The results also only show the speeds you’re getting on the device you’re using for the test.

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• Running a Wi-Fi speed test will give you a much clearer idea of your bandwidth and connection limitations.

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• A small initial file is downloaded in order to gauge an approximate speed of the connection.

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• Additionally, the test simultaneously requests multiple files to download at once.

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Although the code of practice is voluntary, a number of major providers — including BT, Sky, Plusnet, Vodafone and Virgin Media — have signed up. This is because as the phrase ‘to the premises’ suggests, FTTP broadband uses fibre-optic cables for the whole journey to your home. And it’s in this part of the journey that your speed can be affected. Fibre-optic broadband services are less affected by your home’s location. Or to be more specific, your speed is affected by how far you live from your nearest telephone exchange. This is the fastest type of broadband available, with a nationwide coverage of roughly 72%.

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• Although the code of practice is voluntary, a number of major providers — including BT, Sky, Plusnet, Vodafone and Virgin Media — have signed up.

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• This, therefore, allows us to accurately assess the speed of your broadband connection, but only in that particular moment.
• If you’re unhappy with your current broadband provider, consider one of our top-rated providers instead.

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• You can also use the results to compare your broadband speed with other broadband deals available in your area.

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• So it’s important to make sure your internet won’t hold you back during the workday.

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• This is because as the phrase ‘to the premises’ suggests, FTTP broadband uses fibre-optic cables for the whole journey to your home.

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Compare your speed to other providers in your area

Download speeds are usually of more interest, as most tasks require you to download information, for example searching online for information. Download speeds are also usually what gets advertised to you by broadband providers. However, if you have an ultrafast broadband speed of 400Mbps, it would barely take 30 seconds. This, therefore, allows us to accurately assess the speed of your broadband connection, but only in that particular moment.
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Which are the best broadband providers?

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• This is the fastest type of broadband available, with a nationwide coverage of roughly 72%.

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• Most broadband deals include a free Wi‑Fi router, though you may pay a small delivery or activation fee.

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• With plenty of providers to choose from, the choice can be overwhelming.

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• Fibre-optic broadband services are less affected by your home’s location.
• Download speeds are also usually what gets advertised to you by broadband providers.

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• If fibre’s available at your postcode, it’s often the smarter choice.

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If your speed drops below this, your provider must improve it within a month. This enables the speed test to scale and accurately measure all types of connection, from slow ADSL to very fast fibre-optic connections. Running a Wi-Fi speed test will give you a much clearer idea of your bandwidth and connection limitations.
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Internet Speed Test

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Checking in advance avoids nasty surprises—especially for full‑fibre or new‑build providers that aren’t yet everywhere. If you’re unhappy with your current broadband provider, consider one of our top-rated providers instead. Enter your postcode below to see deals in your area, or check our pick of the best broadband deals.
When you move onto a new broadband deal, providers who have opted into the voluntary code of practice have to give you an estimated speed during peak times. It refers to how many ‘megabits’ of data can be transferred to or from your device every second. Call your internet service provider (ISP) as a first step to see what it can do. Running regular speed checks can also give you a clearer idea of the times of day when your broadband is performing at its best and worst.
With plenty of providers to choose from, the choice can be overwhelming.