Understanding Internet Speed Tests

Everything you need to know about testing your internet connection and understanding network performance

The Problem with Traditional Speed Tests

Most internet speed tests tell you how fast your connection is to a nearby server. While this sounds useful, it's often misleading because most of your internet usage happens internationally.

Traditional Speed Tests

Local Testing

Test to the nearest server in your country or city. Shows your ISP's maximum local speed but doesn't reflect real-world usage.

  • Tests to nearby servers
  • Shows maximum potential speed
  • Doesn't reflect international usage
  • Often misleading for streaming/gaming

Our Amsterdam Test

Global Testing

Tests to Amsterdam, Europe. Shows your actual speed to international servers where most content is hosted.

  • Tests across continents
  • Shows real-world performance
  • Reflects streaming/gaming speeds
  • Honest about your connection

Real-World Examples

🇰🇪 User in Kenya Testing to London

A user in Nairobi wants to stream Netflix, which often uses European servers for African users.

40 Mbps
Local Test (Nairobi)
8 Mbps
Amsterdam Test (Reality)

The local test shows 40 Mbps, but streaming from European servers only gets 8 Mbps. Our test shows the actual speed you'll experience when watching Netflix or gaming online.

🇧🇷 User in Brazil Testing to US Servers

A user in São Paulo plays online games hosted on US servers (common for multiplayer games).

100 Mbps
Local Test (São Paulo)
25 Mbps
International Reality

Your ISP advertises 100 Mbps, but connecting to US game servers gives you only 25 Mbps. Understanding this helps you set realistic expectations.

Why Server Location Matters

Internet traffic doesn't travel in straight lines. Your data goes through multiple networks, undersea cables, and routing points before reaching its destination.

The Journey of Your Data

  1. Your Device sends data to your router
  2. Your ISP's Network routes it within your country
  3. International Gateway connects to undersea cables
  4. Transit Networks carry data across continents
  5. Destination Network delivers to the target server
💡 Real-World Usage

Services like Netflix, YouTube, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and most cloud services use international servers. Testing to Amsterdam simulates this real-world usage.

Factors That Slow International Connections

  • Distance: Physical distance adds latency and reduces throughput
  • Undersea Cables: Limited capacity shared by millions of users
  • Routing: Data may take inefficient paths through multiple countries
  • Peering Agreements: ISPs may not have direct connections to international networks
  • Congestion: International links are often more congested than local ones

The Netflix Approach: Fast.com

Netflix created Fast.com for a similar reason. They realized traditional speed tests didn't reflect actual Netflix streaming performance.

How Fast.com Works:

Fast.com tests your speed by downloading data from Netflix's actual CDN (Content Delivery Network). This shows the speed you'll get when streaming Netflix content, not just your theoretical maximum speed to a nearby test server.

Our approach is similar but broader: we test to Amsterdam to simulate international connections used by most online services, not just streaming.

Other Popular Speed Tests

Why We Chose Amsterdam as Our Test Server

Amsterdam is one of the world's most important internet hubs and an ideal location for international speed testing:

  • Major Internet Exchange Point: Amsterdam hosts AMS-IX, one of the world's largest internet exchanges
  • Central European Location: Well-connected to Africa, Middle East, Asia, and the Americas via undersea cables
  • Content Hosting Hub: Many global services (Netflix, Google, Amazon, Microsoft) have major data centers in Amsterdam
  • Neutral Territory: Excellent infrastructure and politically neutral location for global testing
  • Real-World Simulation: Most international content you access likely routes through or near Amsterdam
💡 Fun Fact

Amsterdam handles over 10 terabits per second of internet traffic, making it one of the busiest internet hubs on the planet!

When to Use Which Speed Test

Use Local Tests (Speedtest.net) When:

  • Troubleshooting your ISP connection
  • Verifying you're getting advertised speeds
  • Testing local network issues
  • Comparing ISP packages

Use International Tests (Ours) When:

  • You stream content from international services
  • You play games on international servers
  • You work with international teams/clients
  • You want realistic everyday performance

Internet Knowledge

Understanding how the internet works helps you make better decisions about your connection and troubleshoot issues effectively.

Understanding Speed Units: Mbps vs MB/s

One of the most common sources of confusion is the difference between Mbps (Megabits per second) and MB/s (Megabytes per second).

Mbps (Megabits per second)

Used for: Internet speeds, network speeds

Example: "I have a 100 Mbps connection"

MB/s (Megabytes per second)

Used for: Download speeds, file transfers

Example: "Steam downloads at 12.5 MB/s"

⚠️ The Confusion

There are 8 bits in 1 byte. So a 100 Mbps connection downloads at 12.5 MB/s (100 ÷ 8 = 12.5).

Quick Conversion Guide

  • 25 Mbps = 3.1 MB/s (Good for HD streaming)
  • 50 Mbps = 6.25 MB/s (Good for 4K streaming)
  • 100 Mbps = 12.5 MB/s (Multiple devices, 4K)
  • 200 Mbps = 25 MB/s (Heavy usage, large downloads)
  • 500 Mbps = 62.5 MB/s (Professional/business use)

What Speed Do You Actually Need?

Streaming Video

  • Netflix HD (1080p): 5 Mbps
  • Netflix 4K (Ultra HD): 25 Mbps
  • YouTube 1080p: 5 Mbps
  • YouTube 4K: 20 Mbps
  • Disney+ 4K: 25 Mbps
  • Amazon Prime 4K: 15 Mbps

Gaming

  • Online Gaming (Fortnite, Apex, COD): 3-6 Mbps (but latency matters more!)
  • Game Downloads (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox): 50+ Mbps recommended
  • Cloud Gaming (Xbox Cloud, GeForce Now): 35+ Mbps
  • Competitive Gaming: Low latency (<30ms) more important than speed

Video Calls & Remote Work

  • Zoom HD Video: 2.6 Mbps up/down
  • Google Meet HD: 3.2 Mbps up/down
  • Microsoft Teams HD: 4 Mbps up/down
  • Zoom/Teams with screen sharing: 5+ Mbps up/down

General Usage

  • Web Browsing: 3-5 Mbps
  • Social Media: 3-5 Mbps
  • Email: 1 Mbps
  • Music Streaming (Spotify, Apple Music): 2 Mbps
  • Cloud Backup/Sync: 10+ Mbps upload recommended
💡 Multiple Devices

Multiply these numbers by the number of devices using your internet simultaneously. A family of 4 streaming HD video needs at least 20 Mbps (4 × 5 Mbps).

⚠️ Upload Speed Matters Too!

Video calls, live streaming, and uploading files require good upload speed. Most ISPs provide asymmetric connections (e.g., 100 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up). If you frequently upload content or video call, ensure your upload speed meets your needs.

How Internet Routing Works

Understanding how data travels across the internet helps explain why international speeds differ from local speeds.

The Journey of Your Data Packet

  1. Your Device → Sends data to your router/modem
  2. Home Network → Router forwards to your ISP
  3. Local ISP Network → Routes within your city/country
  4. Internet Exchange Point (IXP) → Major junction where ISPs connect
  5. Undersea Cables → For international traffic, data crosses oceans via fiber optic cables
  6. Transit Networks → Specialized carriers transport data across continents
  7. Destination ISP → Receives and routes to target network
  8. Target Server → Finally reaches the website/service you're accessing
🌊 Undersea Cable Facts

Over 400 undersea cables carry 99% of international internet traffic. These cables are only about as thick as a garden hose but carry terabits of data per second. Popular cables connecting continents include MAREA (US-Spain), 2Africa (circling Africa), and SEA-ME-WE 5 (Southeast Asia to Europe).

Undersea Cables: The Backbone of the Internet

Over 99% of international internet traffic travels through undersea cables. These fiber optic cables connect continents and enable global communication.

Interesting Fact: There are over 500 active undersea cables totaling more than 1.3 million kilometers. A single cable can carry terabits of data per second, serving millions of users simultaneously.

Most undersea cables connecting Africa to Europe pass through the Mediterranean or around the Cape of Good Hope, routing through major hubs like Amsterdam, London, and Marseille.

Factors That Affect Your Internet Speed

1. Physical Distance

Data travels at roughly 200,000 km/s through fiber optic cables (⅔ the speed of light). The farther data must travel, the higher the latency and potential for speed reduction.

2. Network Congestion

Like traffic on a highway, internet "traffic" can get congested during peak hours (evenings, weekends). International routes are especially prone to congestion.

3. Peering Agreements

Your ISP must have agreements with other networks to exchange traffic. Poor peering means your data takes longer, indirect routes.

4. Quality of Service (QoS)

Some ISPs prioritize certain types of traffic (e.g., streaming over torrents) or throttle speeds after usage caps.

5. Your Equipment

Old routers, damaged cables, WiFi interference, and outdated devices can bottleneck your connection before it even reaches the ISP.

6. Server Capacity

The server you're connecting to must be able to handle your speed. An overloaded server won't send data at your connection's full capacity.

7. Protocol Overhead

Internet protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, TLS encryption) add overhead to data transmission. This reduces usable speed by roughly 5-15%.

💡 WiFi vs Ethernet

WiFi can reduce your speed by 30-50% compared to wired Ethernet due to interference, distance from router, and shared bandwidth. For accurate speed tests, use a wired connection when possible.

Understanding Latency (Ping)

Latency is often more important than speed for real-time applications like gaming and video calls.

What Causes Latency?

  • Physical Distance: Light/electrical signals take time to travel
  • Number of Hops: Each router your data passes through adds delay
  • Processing Time: Routers and servers take time to process packets
  • Network Congestion: Queued packets must wait their turn

Latency Guidelines

Excellent (<20ms)

Competitive gaming, real-time trading, professional applications

Good (20-50ms)

Online gaming, video calls, general usage

Acceptable (50-100ms)

Casual gaming, video streaming, web browsing

Poor (>100ms)

Noticeable lag in games and calls, slow responsiveness

Jitter and Packet Loss

What is Jitter?

Jitter is the variation in latency over time. Consistent 50ms latency is better than fluctuating between 20-80ms.

Effects of High Jitter:
  • Choppy video calls with audio/video desync
  • Inconsistent gaming performance (rubber-banding)
  • Buffering during live streams

Acceptable Jitter: <15ms. Problematic: >30ms

What is Packet Loss?

Packet Loss occurs when data packets fail to reach their destination and must be resent.

Effects of Packet Loss:
  • Pixelated video during streams/calls
  • Game characters warping/teleporting
  • Slow file downloads despite good speed
  • Websites failing to load completely

Acceptable Packet Loss: <1%. Problematic: >2%

Complete Internet Terminology Glossary

A comprehensive guide to internet and networking terminology you'll encounter when testing and understanding your connection.

2.4GHz vs 5GHz
WiFi frequency bands. 2.4GHz: Longer range, better wall penetration, more interference, slower speeds (up to 600 Mbps). 5GHz: Shorter range, less interference, faster speeds (up to 1300+ Mbps). Use 5GHz when close to router.
Bandwidth
The maximum capacity of your internet connection, like the width of a pipe. Wider bandwidth allows more data to flow simultaneously. Measured in Mbps or Gbps. Important: bandwidth is capacity, not speed.
Bufferbloat
When network devices buffer (queue) too much data, causing high latency spikes. Makes your connection feel sluggish even with good speed. Common with older routers or during heavy uploads/downloads.
CDN (Content Delivery Network)
A distributed network of servers worldwide that cache and deliver content from locations close to users. Companies like Cloudflare, Akamai, and Fastly run massive CDNs. Makes websites load faster globally.
DNS (Domain Name System)
The internet's "phone book" that translates domain names (google.com) into IP addresses (142.250.80.46). Slow DNS can make websites appear slow to load. Popular DNS providers: Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
Download Speed
How fast data travels from the internet to your device. Affects streaming, file downloads, web browsing, and loading images. Measured in Mbps. Typically higher than upload speed on consumer connections.
Fiber Optic
High-speed internet technology using light through glass or plastic fibers. Offers symmetrical speeds (equal upload/download), low latency, and is less affected by distance than copper cables. The gold standard for internet connectivity.
Gigabit (Gb)
1,000 megabits. Often refers to gigabit internet (1 Gbps = 1000 Mbps), though actual speeds may be lower. Don't confuse with Gigabyte (GB) - there are 8 gigabits in 1 gigabyte.
Hop
Each router or network device your data passes through on its journey. More hops = higher latency. Use "traceroute" (Windows: tracert) to see the path your data takes and identify where slowdowns occur.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
The company providing your internet connection (e.g., Comcast, Verizon, BT, Vodafone, Safaricom). They control your local network infrastructure, speeds, and often impose data caps or throttling policies.
IXP (Internet Exchange Point)
Physical infrastructure where multiple ISPs and networks connect to exchange traffic. Major IXPs like AMS-IX (Amsterdam), DE-CIX (Frankfurt), and LINX (London) handle massive amounts of global internet traffic.
Jitter
Variation in latency over time. Consistent 50ms ping is better than ping fluctuating between 20-80ms. High jitter causes choppy video calls, voice desync, and unpredictable gaming performance. Good: <15ms, Problematic: >30ms.
Latency (Ping)
Time for data to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Critical for gaming, video calls, and real-time applications. Lower is better. Excellent: <20ms, Good: 20-50ms, Acceptable: 50-100ms, Poor: >100ms.
Mbps (Megabits per second)
Standard unit for measuring internet speed. 1 Mbps = 1,000,000 bits per second. Note: There are 8 bits in 1 byte, so 100 Mbps = 12.5 MB/s actual download speed in applications.
MB/s (Megabytes per second)
Unit for measuring data transfer in applications like Steam, browsers, or file managers. To convert Mbps to MB/s, divide by 8. Example: 80 Mbps connection downloads at 10 MB/s.
Packet
Small unit of data transmitted over networks. Your data is split into packets, sent separately, and reassembled at destination. Each packet contains addressing information and error-checking data.
Packet Loss
Percentage of data packets that fail to reach their destination. Causes lag, buffering, pixelated video, and must be retransmitted. Good: <0.5%, Acceptable: <1%, Problematic: >2%. Often caused by congestion, poor WiFi, or faulty equipment.
Peering
Direct interconnection between ISPs to exchange traffic without intermediaries. Good peering agreements mean faster speeds and lower latency. Poor peering forces traffic through expensive, slower transit networks.
QoS (Quality of Service)
Network management technique that prioritizes certain types of traffic. ISPs may prioritize streaming over downloads, or business traffic over residential. Can improve performance for time-sensitive applications but may throttle others.
Router
Device that directs internet traffic between your devices and the internet. Quality, age, and settings significantly impact your internet performance. Modern routers support WiFi 6, QoS, and multiple frequency bands.
Throughput
Actual amount of data successfully transferred over time. Always lower than theoretical maximum due to protocol overhead, network conditions, and interference. Real-world throughput is what matters for daily use.
Throttling
When your ISP intentionally slows your connection, often after reaching data caps, during peak hours, or for specific applications (torrents, streaming). Some ISPs throttle based on content type or destination.
Upload Speed
How fast data travels from your device to the internet. Critical for video calls, live streaming, cloud backup, and uploading files. Usually much slower than download on consumer connections (asymmetric). Fiber offers symmetric speeds.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Service that routes your internet traffic through encrypted servers, hiding your identity and location. Typically reduces speed by 10-50% due to encryption overhead and longer routing paths. Can bypass throttling or geo-blocks.
WiFi 5 vs WiFi 6
WiFi 5 (802.11ac): Max 3.5 Gbps, 5GHz band. WiFi 6 (802.11ax): Max 9.6 Gbps, both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, better performance with many devices, lower latency. WiFi 6E adds 6GHz band for even better performance.

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See what your actual international connection speed is, not just what your ISP promises.

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