Broadband Connection Speeds

[devildice]

I know this is probablly a really stupid question, but I'll ask anyways......in regards to connection speeds, the higher the upload/download kbps the better right?

[Malaki86]

I know this is probablly a really stupid question, but I'll ask anyways......in regards to connection speeds, the higher the upload/download kbps the better right?

Exactly

For the most part, on my Sprint card, if I'm in or near large cities I'll have a broadband connection of about 120k/sec download. Otherwise I have a lower speed, which is about 15k/sec download.

[devildice]

That is what I thought but here's the deal.....

I currently use Verizon and have their PC5740 card. Over all it's O.K. but I find that a lot of times it takes forever to open a page.

Sprint has a promotion going on right now where you can try their products and service for 30 days risk free and if not satisfied, you can cancel service with no penalties. So I went and got their PX 500 card with unlimited service. So far basically it seems to the same as Verizon. The only difference I've noticed so far is it does appear to load pages much faster.

So, just out of curiosity, I ran 4 different speed test on both cards 2 times each.......

Sprint averaged 288kbps download & 44kbps upload
Verizon was 1309kbps download and 5164kbps upload

Those numbers would indicate that Verizon is out performing Sprint. But when surfing the net, it seems like Sprint is doing better in that it is loading pages faster..........I am confussed as to how this can be. :?

[Roadhog]

My guess is the EV-DO technology they are using.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EVDO

I'm on Sprint too, the better choice in my opinion.

That article gives a good Sprint vs. Verizon comparison.

[devildice]

UPDATE: I contacted Verizon and told them of the issue I was having with pages opening slowly. They directed me to go to the "preferences" tab on the VZAcess Manager and click on the "Venturi" tab......there is a drop down menu for image quality. The higher the quality the slower speed. I had mine set on the highest quality and therefore the slowest speed. Changed it to medium quality/fast speed and that did the trick. So far, I have not had one single page load slowly and everything is moving smoothly (knock on wood). Oh, BTW....I can not see any difference between image quality, looks the same.

[ibamars]

How are you guys testing your speeds. I am hoping you are not going by what you think is good.

check this site out. its pretty good for testing speeds.

http://www.speedtest.net/

Also dont forget, If you shut down processes in the background on your computer you will increase your internet speed.

check out this site to make sure your computer is running somewhat decent....http://pcpitstop.com/

hope it helps

[serbie]

http://www.testmy.net/share-N0VJR6IC...s&q2=YW6L1NUR5
copy and paste


This is with a signal of -47 dBm. Which is admittedly high, but normally have a signal of -70 or better when not at home. Also not in a broadband area. Will post a broadband score when in a area.

Using Cingular.

[BiGG T33]

Also try Speakeasy Speedtest gives you option of 8 different states which for us is ideal

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/