You are not getting the online speed that you thought you were getting, a new FCC report says. Last year, residential users bought broadband service that advertised download speeds of 7 to 8 Mbit/sec., on average. What they received was about half the speed they expected (4 Mbit/sec., on average).
The problem, the FCC said, is that advertisers are using the “maximum speeds” their services might reach. But with net congestion, the users don’t usually get service that is at maximum speed.
ComputerWorld says the FCC is working toward an improved system to define the speeds:
“The FCC plans to help develop a better way to measure actual speeds, per a recommendation in the National Broadband Plan. The plan, which lays out a road map for building more and faster broadband connections in the U.S., recommends that the FCC work with consumer groups, industry, technical experts and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a standard that reflects what end users actually experience. It will include actual speeds and performance of the network at peak hours and over a period of time.”
You can go to Speedtest.net to check your connection speed.
