A Need for Speed - Where to Test Your Internet Connection's Speed

"Incoming!!!"
My wife sent me a text message earlier today asking me which "speedtest" I use. Apparently this new compound word, while non-existent in any English dictionary, is fast becoming the direct term of choice to reference testing one's Internet connection speed.

A rough content analysis of search returns for the exact term "speedtest" nearly always refer to a program or measure of how fast a network connection is vis-a-vis the Internet. I predict "speedtest" will have a formal dictionary definition sooner than anyone might expect.

In the meantime, I replied to my wife the first thing that comes up for a search on speedtest. Ookla Net Metrics boasts of a free "Global Broadband Speed Test" service in Speedtest.net.

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Unlike other Internet speedtests it doesn't ask for your Internet connection type. Perhaps its assuming that users read the title bar for the site which states quite clearly that its a broadband test. Theoretically however, it should work for any kind of Internet connection.

It automatically locates a user upon access, as the flash-enabled interface will zoom in on the world map to the country where the user is presumably accessing the site, most likely via IP address geo-location.

You are then asked to select the nearest servers, designated as blue and golden (suggested) pyramids, on the map. You may click on the suggested location or alternatively you may test how fast your connection responds with a server from the other side of the world.

As an online diagnostic application, it is sleek and fast. The interface is laid-out like a sports car dashboard. It also reminds me of that 80's juvenile movie "War Games" - with a world map etched against a black backdrop and projectile arcs shooting from pyramids onto populated cities.

It measures your "ping" echo, as well as download and upload speeds. You will be provided links to your speedtest results which you can post to your forum, website or blog similar to the image below.

You can do comparative tests for different country servers via "My Results" which will show you a results history for your IP address. The "My Summary" section will give you an overview of your IP address' performance including a Global Rank and your Country Rank.

Over at the "Global Stats" tab you can see the average speedtests for continents, countries and ISPs. You can even drill down the selection for the best ISP for a particular city, in case you plan to shop around for a better Internet service provider.

Got access to your web servers? You can host a "Speedtest.net Mini" as a free service for your website audience. You may even fully customize and re-brand your own speedtest by licensing Ookla's technology (see "Why License A Speed Test").

By the way, Japan leads in both broadband upload and download speeds. Which partly explains why Japan leads in blogging according to the Technorati April 2007 State of the Live Web report.

So there. Next time you need a speedtest, you know where to go.