Internet Under Control: Why Test Your Speed?

The internet is an essential part of modern life, directly impacting productivity and comfort. Imagine the internet as a water pipe—its capacity determines how much data flows through at a given time. If the pipe is damaged, some data is lost. Similarly, internet speed is like water pressure: the higher it is, the faster data reaches its destination.

Often, the speed promised by your provider doesn’t match reality. On average, providers deliver around 70–90% of the claimed speed. Monitoring tools help identify discrepancies, proving invaluable for addressing issues. Here, we’ll explore how data monitoring uncovered and resolved a problem with a commercial internet connection.


Why Test Internet Speed?

  • Service Quality Assurance: Speed tests ensure your provider delivers as promised, which is crucial for businesses where multiple users share bandwidth.
  • Problem Detection: Regular tests can uncover issues before they affect daily operations, prompting timely resolutions.
  • Performance Optimization: Results can reveal whether your equipment or network needs adjustments to improve efficiency.

A Case Study: Issues with a Commercial Internet Connection

The graph below shows speed measurements for an office internet connection.

Graph showing fluctuations in download and upload speeds of a commercial internet channel over time, highlighting discrepancies in performance.
The provider claimed the connection was “guaranteed” and symmetrical—download and upload speeds should be equal regardless of network load. However, the graph reveals significant deviations, with download speeds consistently underperforming.

Over a month, employees experienced speed drops, affecting daily tasks. Initial provider feedback blamed client-side issues, but regular speed monitoring provided solid evidence of problems on the provider’s side. After further investigation, the provider confirmed a software error in their central router, which was resolved, restoring stable performance.


Conclusion

Regular internet speed monitoring not only resolves current internet issues but also prevents future disruptions. Using tools like VizIoT, businesses can effectively collaborate with providers to achieve improved performance, ensuring smoother operations.