50M Has 50Mb been quietly upgraded?

Billy-Bob · 16-11-2011, 22:06

I've noticed for the last few days that my 50Mb connection seems to be returning download speeds of 70-75Mbps on several speed tests. I know these aren't always very accurate, and the config file for my modem is still saying that the maximum traffic rate is 53000000 bps (i.e. 50Mb) but I have never seen this phenomenon before now. Upload speed seems to be the usual 4.7-4.9Mbps.
I'm in the Peterborough area. Anyone else seeing this?

7031 · 16-11-2011, 22:45

Have you tested on SpeedTest.net? I haven't noticed this personally, but I'm in Surrey.

Also keep in mind that some anti-virus programs can cause speedtests to report speeds incorrectly from what I've heard.

Billy-Bob · 16-11-2011, 23:10

and from right here on cable forum.co.uk;

Test started, please wait .......
Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:14:42 GMT

Test 1: 2048K took 208 ms = 9846.2 KB/sec, approx 78770 Kbps, 76.92 Mbps
Test 2: 2048K took 205 ms = 9990.2 KB/sec, approx 79922 Kbps, 78.05 Mbps
Test 3: 2048K took 193 ms = 10611.4 KB/sec, approx 84891 Kbps, 82.9 Mbps
Test 4: 4096K took 396 ms = 10343.4 KB/sec, approx 82747 Kbps, 80.81 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 81583 Kbps, 79.67 Mbps

These results appear to be quite fast - this page could possibly be in your browser cache.

Version 1.51 : To repeat this test from the source server click here.

And that's after emptying my browser cache. Weird!

Martyn · 17-11-2011, 02:33

dont tell everyone... lol

Stuart · 17-11-2011, 03:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy-Bob

I've noticed for the last few days that my 50Mb connection seems to be returning download speeds of 70-75Mbps on several speed tests. I know these aren't always very accurate, and the config file for my modem is still saying that the maximum traffic rate is 53000000 bps (i.e. 50Mb) but I have never seen this phenomenon before now. Upload speed seems to be the usual 4.7-4.9Mbps.
I'm in the Peterborough area. Anyone else seeing this?

If your connection had recieved the upgrade, the config file would not still be showing 50 Meg. Both speedtests are being fooled by a cache somewhere.

Martyn · 17-11-2011, 03:19

But surely speeds would be greater then?

Stuart · 17-11-2011, 03:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martyn

But surely speeds would be greater then?

Not necessarily.

Peter_ · 17-11-2011, 05:33

You need to clear the cache to get a correct reading.

AbyssUnderground · 17-11-2011, 12:06

Try a download from an FTP account or a large HTTP download. They tend to be more accurate as they're not cached.

kwikbreaks · 17-11-2011, 15:31

If it isn't an AV / cache issue then according to Ignition in this thread it could be genuine...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

It won't show on the config page, very occasionally rate limiting doesn't work properly downstream.

Enjoy it while it lasts sir.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/12...ad-speeds.html

Peter_ · 17-11-2011, 15:45

A more accurate test would be http://www.virginmedia.com/testmyspeed/manual.php which includes full instructions.

Ignitionnet · 17-11-2011, 16:56

I can assure you that you haven't had a stealth upgrade, 50Mb isn't planned to be upgraded to 80Mb at any point and you'd probably notice the change through a different configuration file on the modem.

It'd also include an upload upgrade too - all tiers are staying with a 10:1 ratio post-uplift.

roughbeast · 18-11-2011, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbyssUnderground

Try a download from an FTP account or a large HTTP download. They tend to be more accurate as they're not cached.

It is also worth checking your processor usage during the speed test. (Use task manager.) If your usage goes over 90% , even momentarily, during the download test especially, then you will get stuttering, faltering and surging. This will give you high maximum readings as well as some low readings. These readings are phantom.

Solution? Get a better processor. Probably not worth it just to get accurate speed tests.

Billy-Bob · 19-11-2011, 12:41

Thanks for the feedback everyone - I cleared my browser cache before each test, I don't think it's a processor issue (quad-core i7), downloading a large file won't tell me anything useful I'm afraid unless I actually sit in front of the screen with a stopwatch! (my OS doesn't report realtime data rates during transfers), and I don't believe it's a stealth upgrade, so that leaves the downstream rate-limiting failure theory - I reckon it's that. It's still happening, by the way!

Peter_ · 19-11-2011, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy-Bob

Thanks for the feedback everyone - I cleared my browser cache before each test, I don't think it's a processor issue (quad-core i7), downloading a large file won't tell me anything useful I'm afraid unless I actually sit in front of the screen with a stopwatch! (my OS doesn't report realtime data rates during transfers), and I don't believe it's a stealth upgrade, so that leaves the downstream rate-limiting failure theory - I reckon it's that. It's still happening, by the way!

A more accurate test would be http://www.virginmedia.com/testmyspeed/manual.php which includes full instructions.