I recently switched my internet service provider for a better deal that included a free public IP address. Now, I'm paying for download speeds between 30 to 70 Mbps and about 30 Mbps for uploads. Before the switch, I had speeds of 12 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up. I've conducted speed tests using different servers and they all show around 50 Mbps, but when I'm actually downloading files, the speeds barely reach 20 Mbps. I'm connected through Ethernet, so I'm wondering why there's such a discrepancy between the test results and real download speeds?
1 Answer
It sounds like the download speeds you're seeing are determined by the server you're downloading from rather than your internet connection. Even if you pay for high speeds, the actual download speed can really depend on how fast the server allows you to pull data. For instance, I get speeds close to 990 Mbps on my connection, but when I download from less capable servers, I often don't reach that speed at all. It's worth checking that you're downloading from a reliable source that can handle higher speeds.
But when I try using my mobile hotspot on the same server, I often get much better speeds – like 18 MB/s. Doesn't that suggest there might be an issue?