CNET Bandwidth Test

CNET: A Trusted Source

CNET has for years been a website that technology workers and consumers alike go to for unbiased reports on the latest trends, developments, and products. Their side-by-side product reviews are what got them on the map as a trusted resource, and now the site has expanded to include videos that explain technology in layman's terms, podcasts, downloadable software and games, and objective reports on useful (and not-so-useful) products. It's also a thoroughly socially networked site, with readers posting their own opinions of the way things work.

The CNET Bandwidth Meter Speed test is just one of the many useful services provided, and it's also one of the simplest.

How Does the CNET Bandwidth Test Work?

At its heart, the bandwidth test is just an image. The size of the image is determined by the bandwidth connection speed you select – so a phone modem would get a 50k image, a cable modem 500k, and a T1 connection would get a whopping 1.5mb image. The CNET servers can tell just how long it takes for that entire image file to get into your computer. This determines the actual bandwidth speed of your computer, and will be then shown in your web browser.

But CNET doesn't stop there. True to its mission as a consumer advocate, it will also show how your speed compares with other internet access providers available in your area (determined by zip code), across a range of connection types. This can be a very useful tool in deciding whether to upgrade, or simply trying to troubleshoot internet connection problems in your home or office.

How to Make It Work: 1, 2, 3

As mentioned earlier, performing the CNET Bandwidth Test on your system is incredibly simple:

1. Enter Your Area Code – This is not to spy on you; CNET simply wants to be able to compare your speed to other services available in your area. While it's true that their site is run through advertising, CNET is known for being fair and unbiased in its reporting. In short: you can trust what it says.
2. Choose your current connection type – It's not actually necessary to know your connection type – the CNET servers will download a 50k image to figure it out – but if you know already, entering it here will increase the accuracy of the test.
3. Select your ISP – This step is optional, and consists of a wide range of ISPs throughout the U.S.
4. Click this button: – Technically this makes it four steps, but with one of them being optional, it doesn't really count.

That's it. Once the button is clicked, the image downloads in a few seconds (or minutes, depending on your connection) and a report looking something like this will appear:

Limitations of the CNET Bandwidth Test

As it states in the final report, "calculated tests do not reflect server reliability and speed." It is only the speed of the connection (and more than that, the connection at the time of the test) which is reflected. It is entirely possible to have a high-speed connection but a slow or unreliable server, and this should be taken into account when evaluating internet connection issues.

Other factors which can affect the CNET Bandwidth Test include:

• Performing the test from a location outside the U.S.
• Other files being downloaded at the time the test is performed.
• Other programs running on your computer at the same time.
• Type of line providing your connection – for example, telephone lines have electromagnetic fields that can degrade the signal to your computer
• 56k modems (though these are hardly found any more) which are limited to 53k by obsolete FCC regulations.

Keeping these factors in mind, the CNET Bandwidth test will give you an accurate snapshot of your connection speed to the World Wide Web.