Dot Com Ventures Launches New UK Web-Based Broadband Speed Test Tool
The aptly named Broadband Speed Test website, which is owned by Dot Com Ventures, appears to have launched a new web and app based internet connection performance testing tool to compete with the many similar services that already exist in the UK and across the world.
The tool is said to measure the four key metrics that “define real-world broadband quality“: download speed, upload speed, ping (latency), and jitter — with results benchmarked against UK-specific averages across all major connection types, including ADSL, FTTC, Full Fibre (FTTP), and 5G Home Broadband.
We ran a few quick tests of the new service and found that it seemed to be significantly underreporting connection performance for several of our test links (particularly on upstream). After digging a bit deeper we noted that it seemed to be based off Cloudflare’s own speed testing platform (here), which produces similar results and is known to have the same sort of issue. Experiences will of course vary and others may find it works better for them.
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Marc Ferguson, Founder of the Tool, said:
“ISPs make big promises on the tin. Our broadband speed test gives UK consumers the facts — quickly, clearly, and for free. Whether you’re working from home, gaming, streaming 4K, or simply frustrated with slow speeds, the tool tells you exactly what your connection is doing and what it should be doing.”
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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With iperf2 I am getting 850-915 up/down while testing against UK servers and 750-900 up/down using EU servers. Using Ookla speedtest I am getting also 800-920 up/down. With this tool I am getting 400/80 up/down, must be hosted at owner’s home and written using AI.
Same observations about upstream, reporting 140-150Mbps rather than 450Mbps
also seems to be set up as a data collection and advert spamming portal
I think I just ran the 234-239th test ever on their portal 😉
Kind of useless as it stands, unable to accurately measure upload speeds above 300-400Mbps and download caps out around 2400Mbps
Yes it is certainly underreporting connection performance, 547 upload and 297 download, TBB speed test is 563 download and 574 upload. I realise that there is going to be a bit of difference, depending on the servers and route, but not that much.
Is there a requirement for another speed test site?
What seems new (to me at least) is the advertising method from hell killing my CPU (left and right columns), seemingly unblocked for now by ublock Origin.
I’ll be avoiding it, better use cloudflare or librespeed.