Voip Speed Test - how is it benchmarked?

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 24, 2006 Posts: 10

I ask as my ISP tells me I'm on 4Mbps download when the Voip test tells me its only 1Mbps. Is this test simulated using Vonage's own server and if so it any indication of poor performance on the part of Vonage or my ISP?

Views welcomed - thanks!

Posts: 2251

northpoint wrote:

I ask as my ISP tells me I'm on 4Mbps download when the Voip test tells me its only 1Mbps. Is this test simulated using Vonage's own server and if so it any indication of poor performance on the part of Vonage or my ISP?

Views welcomed - thanks!

It is not hosted on Vonage's own server.

It is based on a dedicated server (nothing else running on it) in Washington DC.

It is not clustered with this site servers either. VF is in a Dallas TX data center.

It has 100Mbit SLA internet connection (not bursting to 100Mbit, true 100Mbit).

It uses a 10MB data.bin file and times out after 8 seconds.

I must say, it is very accurate.

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

northpoint wrote:

I ask as my ISP tells me I'm on 4Mbps download when the Voip test tells me its only 1Mbps. Is this test simulated using Vonage's own server and if so it any indication of poor performance on the part of Vonage or my ISP?

Views welcomed - thanks!

Let me suggest that you eliminate all routers, adapters, and such from your setup and plug your computer directly into your modem. Then repeat the test. If it's still low, get confirmation by trying another test site, such as http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/ . If it still comes up short, then call your ISP and jack 'em up.

If any of those things gets the speed test to where it ought to be, then troubleshoot from there.

Posts: 476

northpoint wrote:

I ask as my ISP tells me I'm on 4Mbps download when the Voip test tells me its only 1Mbps. Is this test simulated using Vonage's own server and if so it any indication of poor performance on the part of Vonage or my ISP?

Views welcomed - thanks!

You'll notice that ISPs are very careful to state speeds in terms of "up to". If you're the only one (or one of a few) using the pipe your ISP provides to your area (be it a cable network node or DSL SO) then you should get very close to (or in some cases above) the advertised speed for your service. However, add in a bunch of peers using that same pipe and you'll see your speed drop. Sometimes I run the test and see about 3.5Mbps on a 6Mbps rated connection (right now it shows 5.41Mbps). Often times I will see speeds up to 8 or 9Mbps depending on network traffic (that's on usenet downloads, though - I've never seen much above 6Mbps on the Voip Speed Test).

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 24, 2006 Posts: 10

Thank you for the detailed response guys.

Steve, I tried the bandwidth test and it returned around 2.5Mbps. I immediately ran the Voip test on this site and it showed around 1Mbps. I want some accurate data if I am to challenge my ISP about service quality.

I take the point about 'up to' quotes and accept that speeds will vary depending on demand. Speaking with tech staff at my ISP recently its clear they intend to enter the Voip market as soon as the hardware can guarantee a consistent standard of service. It follows that I will benefit from any changes they make in coming months.

In the short time I've been with Vonage I've only had one call drop out and the ISP status page showed broadband problems that night.

Even though my QOS rating has varied from as low as 10% to the high 90%'s I guess the true test is that I will remain with Vonage as the minor trade off in call quality against cost saving makes the switch worthwhile.

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

northpoint wrote:

Steve, I tried the bandwidth test and it returned around 2.5Mbps. I immediately ran the Voip test on this site and it showed around 1Mbps. I want some accurate data if I am to challenge my ISP about service quality.

Keep in mind that any internet speed test includes all the servers between you and the test site, not just your local provider. My experience so far is that the Vonage test tends to give me speeds a bit higher than the service to which I referred you.

Posts: 533 · Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:32 pm Post subject:

The most accurate speed tester I've found is:

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

I use the Washington, DC server since I'm in PA. 4Mbps down, 350Kbps up.

The speed test from this site shows me at 1Mbps down. I think it's just too overloaded. Everyone on this Forum is probably slamming it since it's been posted.

Posts: 2251 · Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject:

EzCo wrote:

Everyone on this Forum is probably slamming it since it's been posted.

You are correct. A change is coming tomorrow to limit the testings.

Currently doing 1000 per hour. Sad

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 24, 2006 Posts: 10

EzCo wrote:

The most accurate speed tester I've found is:

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

The speed test from this site shows me at 1Mbps down. I think it's just too overloaded. Everyone on this Forum is probably slamming it since it's been posted.

Thanks EzCo, a great '2 for 1' response. I like the speakeasy tester and you hit the one point I'd not considered for the Voip speed test here. Suitably reassured, thanks.