Chances are, you’re on fibre broadband because of the speed and reliability it offers. The speed of your broadband is essential for everything you do online. Whether it’s streaming, video calling, gaming, scrolling social media or just browsing the web.
Slow speeds can affect your online experience and leave you frustrated when your broadband connection isn’t playing ball – your favourite show buffering, downloads dragging on, or waiting forever for photos and videos to upload. If you’re on fibre and experiencing slow speeds, this can be a sign that something might be impacting the quality of your connection.
One of the easiest ways to figure out what’s going on is by running a speed test. This helps you check if you’re getting the speeds you signed up for.
What’s a speed test?
A speed test is a free tool that measures how fast data travels between your device and a nearby test server. It looks at three things: download speed, upload speed, and latency (or delay).
To carry out a test, head to Speedtest.net.nz, press “GO” and you’ll see your download and upload speeds.
How to run a speed test
To make sure your test is accurate, here are our tips:
1. Plug an ethernet cable into your modem. An Ethernet cable delivers data faster than Wi-Fi, so it’s best to plug this in your device before you begin your speed test.
2. Restart your device and close any applications. Video and music streaming apps (i.e. Netflix, Spotify, and Neon) may be slowing your device down so it’s best to close them while you run the test.
3. Close extra browser tabs. Only keep the speed test tab open.
4. Pause other internet activity. Ask others in your household to go offline while you run the test.
5. Test more than once. Run the test at different times of day and in different locations to get a clear picture of your performance.
How do I interpret my results?
A speed test will tell you how fast your download and upload data is performing. These speeds are labelled as megabits per second (Mbps).
Your download and upload speeds depend on the broadband plan you’re on. If you’re unsure which plan you’re on, check your Internet Service Provider’s plan details or monthly bill.
If your speeds are significantly below what your plan promises, it’s a good idea to contact your Internet Service Provider. Share the test results, and they can guide you through troubleshooting or log a fault with us to investigate.
Factors that may impact your results
Having fibre broadband means you’re on the right track to receiving the fastest speeds available, but a range of factors can affect your connection and its performance, including the age of your device, the modem you use and the number of people online in your household.
To see if any of these things may be affecting your fibre broadband performance, visit our Maximising Your Wi-Fi page for more troubleshooting tips.
