Hi, I preiodically run a bandwidth speed test at bandwidthplace.com, and it comes up showing that my connection is close to TWICE what it's supposed to be. (I have a 3 mbps cable service, and the online test consistently shows 5 or 6 mbps. Is this possible, or is the test not running right? I'm not complaining, the faster my connection is the better. Just wondering if this is a fluke... or if it's possible that I am really connecting at these speeds. Thanks! Eric

I tried the test at bandwidthplace.com and got the expected result. It could be just a flook. Could be that you did the test during a period of slack. Try again during peak periods and see if you get the same results. If you do, I would just keep quiet about it, but first check your payments and make sure that your ISP isn't charging you for the higher speed. Stuart

alot of the comcast cable customers i have seen average at least 3-4 meg downstream minimum, they have multiple HUGE t3 pipes all over the place, so i would say that it is probably correct, i usually check my bandwidth from msn.com, tech and gadgets, and then internet speed test, and they for the most part are always accurate Complete Computer Service Inc. NW Indiana

The Bandwidth Place speed test can only measure how fast it is sending out data to you, not the actual speed of the last link to you (your cable connection link, ISP modem to your modem). If your ISP has fast links in its network and large buffers or your TCP/IP setting are set wrong, this can cause false readings and result in high readings from this test. If you check through their older forums, you will find many comments about these abnormal high readings. Keep in mind, they are trying to sell broadband connections and services. I usually get a higher speed than I know what my cable connection can do. To get a valid test, you need to wait several days so any Internet buffers are cleared, then reboot your system and run one test and see what this one first test gives. Even then the results from this test will usually be high. Many cable modems can be accessed through modem IP. Often these internal pages will show you the actual bit rate of your cable connection. It should show a 3Mbit data rate. One of the advantages of cable over DSL, is that with Cable you usually get the bit rate advertised, when the local loop is not busy. With DSL you may get a lot lower bit rate depending on the quality of your phone line and length of the line back to their office (but you don't have to share it with others). For more accurate indications of what you are actually getting through the whole internet link from different areas, try one of the free tests from different sites using the "Large Image" test at Toast.net. This test will usually give you 2000 to 2700 Kb rates and reflect the actual delays in the Internet that you are seeing.