Speed testing a DSL connection

How can you find out what speed your DSL is running. I am suppose to get switched to 6000 in a day or so but dont know how to actually see if it has been done. I know with the old dial up, I could just put the cursor over the computer symbol on the task bar and it would show your speed, but it doesnt work with the DSL.

Thanks

http://myspeed.streamguys.com/myspeed/

There are other more elaborate ways involving pinging the world and tracing routes, but this will tell the majority all they really need to know.

Thanks eurovol = says I am at 2.68 now (am set up for 2) will keep checking in next few days to see if it does go to 6. I just dont trust T-Com.

There's currently a discussion about this going on 3072kbps DSL flatrate in Germany
That just showed how fast your line connection had been negotiated, and had little to do with actual down/upload speeds.
Trust them. If they've confirmed the upgrade in writing, there's a 99% chance or better they did it. Whether it works as you expect is a totally different matter - including such things that your hardware supports the new speed, that your provider (TKom are NOT a provider) can support the speed, where you are surfing to/from and how many other people are using local and distant circuits at the same time. If there is noise on your local line it might also be that negotiated speeds when you connect are way less than the theoretically line-capable speed and may reduce even further if the line is error-prone.

I got one for you guys...

I subscribed with 1&1 some months ago, for an "up to 6" (damn that "bis zu" stuff) contract. I got a letter back saying that they tested it and it only works with 3Mbps.

Now is this common practice for them ? I mean, do they do this with all their customers ? Any similar experiences ? Going with half the speed for all their customers can theoretically double the amount of customers they can support .

Now I see they are trying to go up to 16/20Mbps with DSL2. I'm afraid of even going and asking if they can upgrade me, because last time they said that it doesn't work because I'm in a weird location or something.

I live in Petuelring on Schleissheimerstr, which shouldn't be weird at all. Maybe they are, for not replying to my e-mails for so long.

Ah well, getting back to reality.

Thanks,
Radu.

This is not an uncommon problem with all providers. Your ability to get *any* DSL cnnection depends on the length of your line from the exchange, any repeaters in the line, line quality and capacity on the exchange. Before committing to provide they test the line to your home for its capability. If, for any of the above reasons you can't have DSL, or can ony get a reduced speed service, they tell you. Reduced speeds usually imply you are longer than the maximim 5.5Km from the exchange so there is more noise/damping on the line.

ADSL2+ uses a different technology, so some lines that can't reach maximum speed on "normal" ADSL can sometimes manage better speeds with ADSL2+ - it's worth trying...

YL6

It also seems to be browser dependent. I just played around with this site a bit, and surprisingly I get much better results with IE and Netscape than with Opera. IE/Netscape both reach 5,500Kbit/s, Opera only 2,200.

It also seems to vary depending on which speed test you use! This site has consistently put my speed at around 800kbps for the past few tests, while the test in Oli's link above measures the speed at over 1600kbps. Considering I have a 2000 connection, I would have thought the latter result would be more accurate.

I know all that, I've majored in electrical engineering/computer science. I was just wondering if they *actually* use this "technique" (their customer support is the WORST, I had to wait a very loong time for them to install my connection, called them constantly.. wasted a lot of money on the telephone bill, 1euro / minute, very nice ).


Ahh, this i *didn't* know. Thanks a lot. Hmm, I will see if I can actually upgrade my subscription (it's +5euros / month) with them. My equipment should already support DSL2.

Thanks,
Radu.

Your major helps diddly squat in the real world as you are maybe beginning to realise. If you'd majored in economics you'd have known that any business needs to make money somewhere (in this case on telephone support) if it's losing elsewhere (in this case on its service) notwithstanding the fact that if they don't invest in service, having no money to do this, then they can't offer any... If you also read elsewhere, you'll see 1&1 are offering and selling ADSL2+ services before they can actually supply it in many areas