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To run the uSwitch broadband speed test you need to have Flash player version 10 (or newer) installed. You can download Flash here

Unfortunately Flash is not compatible with iPad or iPhone, so (if on either) please consider using a different device to perform a test (e.g. a laptop, Mac or PC).

iPad and iPhone users can still see their local area on Broadband StreetStats (which does not require Flash) or can download our 3G speed test app on iTunes

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You can still browse results in your local area on Broadband StreetStats

Speedtest & StreetStats FAQs

• About the speed test

  About the speed test

  The uSwitch Broadband Speed Test is a free-to-use speed testing service that analyses your broadband speed in seconds. It can measure speeds on every type of broadband connection whether ADSL, cable/fibre-optic or mobile broadband (3G).

  Please be aware that the speeds measured are only a guide, and should not be seen as a definitive encapsulation of your overall broadband connection’s performance.

  Factors that may affect the accuracy of your broadband speed measurement include:

  • Downloads - make sure you are not downloading anything on your computer, as this can adversely affect average speeds during the test

  • Wireless routers – wireless broadband data needs to travel through the air via technology such as ‘IEEE 802.11’. Thick walled buildings and the physical distance from the router may adversely affect your broadband speed.

  • Data-heavy programs - shut down any software that frequently accesses the internet during the test (e.g. web radio, RSS feeds or TV on-demand services), they can reduce average download speed readings.

  • Concurrent users - shut down other devices using your wireless or fixed line network during the test, multiple connections to a single router can adversely affect average download speeds.

  • Network coverage – with 3G connections, being on the move can affect the quality of your broadband connection. 3G mobile broadband is more accurately measured on a computer at a static location as opposed to whilst in transit.

  • Broadband network congestion / time of day – many broadband providers can suffer from congestion at the busiest times (e.g. 8pm to 10pm). Speeds can suffer at these times and vary at others depending on the amount of users, and using their broadband connections.

• About StreetStats

  About StreetStats

  StreetStats uses the individual speed tests we capture and overlays them on a Google Map allowing you to see broadband speed in your area and across the UK. We have developed StreetStats to be the most helpful broadband speed mapping tool of its kind.

  All the data you see on StreetStats has been generated by our users that have run speed tests on the uSwitch Broadband site. We regularly test 400,000 broadband connections a month.

  We do have lots of historical data, but to offer the most relevant experience, we prioritise the most recent data we have on the maps, however, you can refine StreetStats results by different timeframes if required.

  In general, by default we show the most recent stat we have collected for each postcode, so if you did a speed test today you will see it on StreetStats within 24 hours, but if another person does a test two days later, their stat will be displayed instead and will remove yours from the map.

  Although the data we collect and show is as accurate as it can be, it is still possible you’ll see a few anomalies on the maps. We regularly cross-check the speed tests in our database and remove rogue or false data from StreetStats, but if you do spot anything out of the ordinary please let us know!

  We are constantly working on a range of new features to improve and refine StreetStats, but we are very confident that the vast majority of results on Streetstats are accurate and offer a fair reflection of individual broadband speeds in each area.

• How does the speed test work?

  How does the speed test work?

  When you start the speed test, our StreetStats tool checks your broadband speed by downloading and uploading dummy "packets" of data sent to our UK servers via "pings".

  These pings are a measure of the round-trip time it takes for these packets to be sent and subsequently received by your computer, allowing us to accurately assess the speed of your broadband connection.

  You can read more about how our speed test works in our 'technical specifications' FAQ below.

• How to get accurate results

  How to get accurate results

  To get the most accurate possible broadband speed test result, we advise the following:

  • make sure you are not downloading anything on your PC / laptop

  • shut down any software that uses the internet (e.g. web radio, RSS news feeds or TV services)

  • shut down any other computers on your wireless or fixed line network

  • ensure all broadband cables are properly attached

  • with wireless routers (if applicable) make sure you are as close to your wireless router as possible - ideally less than 10 metres away. Make sure there are no large objects between your computer and wireless router. Electronic devices such as microwaves, wireless doorbells, baby monitors, bug zappers and even electric blankets can affect the signal strength, so switch them all off

  • if you are testing mobile broadband on the move (e.g. with a 3G dongle or laptop / netbook with 3G built in), make sure you are stationary and have a signal. The test will be compromised if you go out of range of 3G coverage while the test is in progress

• Why am I so slow?

  Why am I so slow?

  If you have double-checked everything in the How to Get Accurate Results section and your broadband speed still seems slow, do a final check of your device, ensuring all cables and routers are connected properly, as well as wireless passwords are correct if applicable.

  If nothing seems to be wrong on a device level and your broadband speed is still not satisfactory, contact your current broadband provider for advice. There may be a fault on your line, problems with your setup, or there could be a temporary fault with the service being delivered by your provider.

  If they cannot help you to resolve your slow broadband issues, it might be time to switch provider!

• Who is the fastest ISP?

  Who is the fastest ISP?

  The most recent uSwitch Broadband Awards were held in January 2012. We judged using speed tests carried out on uSwitch.com in 2011 that Virgin Media delivers the UK's fastest home broadband service on average across the UK, whilst O2 is speediest when it comes to mobile broadband.

  That being said, broadband speeds offered by all broadband providers do fluctuate month on month, so please do keep an eye on our speed test graphs, trends and maps for comprehensive information.

  With technology constantly evolving, broadband getting faster and ISPs offering speeds in excess of 100Mbps, we at uSwitch pride ourselves on keeping abreast of the latest developments.

• Technical specifications

  Technical specifications

  Technical specifications of download test

  Our speed test downloads packets of data over an HTTP connection and measures the time in which the transfers take, in order to work out a download speed in Mbps (Megabits per second).

  A small initial file is downloaded in order to gauge an approximate speed of the connection. Based on this result, the speed test selects a larger file to perform the main download test.

  For example, on a slower connection the speed test might choose a payload of 2Mbps, but on a faster connection it may select one of 10Mbps. This enables the speed test to scale and accurately measure all types of connection, from slow ADSL to very fast fibre-optic connections.

  Additionally, the test simultaneously requests multiple files to download at once. This causes the user's bandwidth to be saturated, providing an accurate picture of their download speed capacity.

  For this reason, we suggest that users turn off wireless connectivity for any other devices, as well as not running any data-heavy programs at the time of the test, in order to receive the most accurate results for your line's speed.

  Technical specifications of upload test

  Our speed test submits packets of data over an HTTP POST connection and times how long the transfers take, in order to work out an upload speed in Mbps.

  The test submits multiple packets at the same time. This causes the user's bandwidth to be saturated, providing an accurate picture of their upload speed capacity.

  What is the speed test’s capacity?

  The speed test has been built to test broadband download speeds up to - and above - 100Mbps. It works with the UK's fastest broadband services including Virgin Media and BT Infinity.