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NBN Speed Test

Test the speed for your NBN plan to find out your download and upload speeds, ping and more.

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, updated on August 5th, 2024       

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Are you curious about how your NBN connection is performing? An NBN speed test is a great way to gauge the speed and reliability of your internet connection. Whether you're troubleshooting slow internet, verifying the promised speeds of your plan or simply satisfying your curiosity, you can conduct an NBN speed test right here with Savvy and learn more about what its results mean in our comprehensive guide.

Provided by Meter.net

What do the results of my speed test mean?

Understanding the results of your NBN speed test is crucial for evaluating the performance of your internet connection. Here's what each metric means:

  • Download speed (Mbps): download speed measures how quickly data can be transferred from the internet to your device. It's the most commonly advertised speed and is crucial for activities like streaming videos, browsing websites and downloading files. The higher the download speed, the faster you can access content from the internet.
  • Upload speed (Mbps): upload speed represents the rate at which data can be sent from your device to the internet. It's essential for activities like uploading files, video conferencing, online gaming and sharing content. While upload speeds are typically lower than download speeds on most residential plans, higher performance in this area is important if you're working from home.
  • Ping: ping, also known as latency, measures the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a remote server and back. It's measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower ping times indicate lower latency and faster response times, which is critical for online gaming and real-time applications where delays can disrupt your experience.
  • Jitter: jitter represents the variation in ping or latency over a set period. It's the fluctuation in ping times and is measured in milliseconds as well. High jitter can lead to inconsistent performance in real-time applications, which can lead to choppy video calls or lag in online games. Many industry experts advise that jitter shouldn’t exceed 30ms.

In summary, a successful NBN speed test provides insights into the health of your internet connection. Ensure that your speeds meet the expectations set by your service provider and that your ping and jitter values are within acceptable ranges for your specific online activities.

How do I work out what NBN speed I need for my home?

Determining the right NBN speed tier for your home is essential to helping ensure a smooth online experience. Here's how to work out what NBN speed you need:

Assess your usage

Begin by evaluating your internet usage patterns. Consider the number of devices connected simultaneously, the types of online activities (such as streaming, gaming or working from home) and the number of users in your household or office.

Think about your speed requirements

It’s important to consider the various NBN speeds available to you to provide a better idea of what your options are. The speed tiers on offer are:

  • NBN 12 (Basic I Speed): designed for light users who mainly engage in web browsing, emails and minimal video streaming.
  • NBN 25 (Basic II Speed): may be suitable for one to two light or moderate users with web browsing and basic video streaming needs.
  • NBN 50 (Standard Speed): very popular and versatile, either for medium households with multiple users, HD video streaming and more demanding tasks like file transfers or high-use single-person households.
  • NBN 100 (Fast Speed): designed for heavy users, 4K streaming, online gaming and large file uploads/downloads, as well as large households of moderate to high users.
  • NBN 250 (Superfast Speed): ideal for power users requiring ultra-fast speeds for activities like 4K streaming and large data transfers.
  • NBN 1000 (Ultrafast Speed): geared towards tech enthusiasts and large families with demanding connectivity needs.

Test and adjust

Once connected, perform speed tests and complete regular activities to ensure your plan meets your expectations. If you consistently experience slower speeds than what you need, contact your provider to address the issue and potentially upgrade your plan.

Consider future needs

Think about future requirements. If your usage is likely to increase, or your household is expected to grow over the years, you may decide to opt for a higher-speed plan upfront.

What should I do if I’m not experiencing the NBN speed I’m paying for?

There are several steps you should take if you aren’t experiencing the speeds you’re paying for on your NBN plan. Consider the following:

  1. Check your equipment: ensure your modem and router are capable of handling the speeds of your chosen plan. Older or outdated equipment may limit your connection.
  2. Look at your Wi-Fi setup: in some cases, a slower internet connection can be attributed to a sub-optimal setup. Your modem or router should be in a central location with minimal physical obstacles between it and your device.
  3. Think about the devices connected: if you have too many devices connected at once, this could impact the bandwidth available at any given time. This may be the reason why your internet isn’t performing to the level you need it to.
  4. Consider network congestion: remember that internet speeds can vary due to network congestion, especially during peak usage hours. If this is the case, your provider may offer suggestions or upgrades to alleviate the issue.
  5. Perform speed tests: conduct regular speed tests using reliable websites or apps to track your internet speed. This data can be useful when discussing the issue with your service provider.
  6. Contact your provider: reach out to your NBN service provider's customer support. Explain the issue and provide them with your speed test results. They can help diagnose why your internet is slower than you need and take steps to resolve it, which may include troubleshooting or upgrading your plan.

Can I conduct a home wireless or mobile broadband speed test?

Yes – you can use Savvy’s internet speed test tool for a range of different connection types, including home wireless broadband or mobile broadband. This tool isn’t exclusive to NBN connections, helping a wider range of Australians gain a better understanding of their internet speeds and where they can be improved.

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Disclaimer and important things you should know

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.

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