This quick check can tell you if you're being ripped off on broadband

Questioning whether you're getting the broadband service you pay for? Our speed test is a quick way to reveal whether your provider is delivering on its promises.

Broadband providers proudly advertise their speedy services, but they also have to deliver on their flashy marketing. The major providers have committed to Ofcom's voluntary Code of Practice, which means they have to give you a certain speed - and if your connection doesn't stack up, you may have the right to leave your contract.

A speed test helps you check they're delivering. We'll run you through what the results mean, how to use them to tell whether your provider is falling short, and steps you can take to improve the broadband in your home.

Head straight to our free broadband speed checker to see if you're getting the speed you should be

Testing your provider's promises

When you're looking at broadband deals, you'll see that providers advertise 'average speeds'. These are based on the speeds available to at least 50% of customers during peak time - they don't tell you what you'll actually receive in your property. But, when you sign up to a new deal, your provider will let you know what the expected broadband download speed will be in your home. 

Some providers will give you a minimum guaranteed speed, too - providers that have committed to Ofcom's voluntary broadband speed code of practice (BT, EE, Now, Plusnet, Sky, Utility Warehouse, Virgin Media and Zen Internet) must provide one when you take out a new contract. This is a safety net - it's the lowest speed your connection can drop to before your provider is breaching the terms of their contract with you.

So, if your speeds are low you don't have to accept things. Your provider has a responsibility to address the problem - or it must release you from your contract.

What your speed test results reveal

Our broadband speed test tells you three key bits of information. Two of these are:

• Download speed, the rate at which data is transferred from the internet to your device - for example, how quick it is to load social media or to stream music or video. 
• Upload speed, the rate at which data is transferred from your device to the internet - important for things like uploading images or documents, but also important when you make video calls (or if you’re into online gaming).

Both download speed and upload speed are measured in megabits per second (Mbps) - the higher the figure, the faster. 

Download speed is also the figure advertised to you by broadband providers - when they advertise that a deal has an average speed of 150Mbps, for example, they're referring to download speed. You can compare the download speed in your test results to the estimated and/or minimum guaranteed speeds given to you by your provider.

The third thing the test will tell you is:

• Response time which can also be called ‘latency’ or ‘ping’. This tells you how long it takes for data to travel to a server and back. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms) - the lower the better. A slower response time causes lag on your connection - a problem if you do a lot of video calling, gaming or streaming.

When you conduct the speed test, ideally you will use an ethernet cable to connect your device to your router. This helps ensure you are measuring the speed actually delivered to the router, rather than the speed your device receives using wi-fi.

Broadband speed too low? What to do next

If you're checking the speed at the router using an ethernet cable and it's slower than you're expecting, the first thing we'd suggest is restarting your router. It seems simple but it can be a quick way of resetting things. Turn your router off at the mains, wait at least 30 seconds and then switch everything back on. You may find this is enough to fix things when you run a second speed test.

If you find your speed is slow - and you consistently feel there’s an issue - it’s worth checking the speed a few times to build a picture. Run several tests on different days, both within the busy evening hours between 8pm and 10pm and at other times of the day.

There are simple steps you can take in an attempt to ensure the speed in your home is the best it can be - our advice on how to speed up slow broadband is a good place to get started.

It can also be helpful to check both the speed at your router and the speed on devices connected using wifi - if your router speed is consistently fine, but it’s slow when you use wi-fi, there are also ways you can resolve this. Our guide to wi-fi extenders and mesh networks explains how these devices can help improve wi-fi in your home.

What if I lose broadband entirely?

If your broadband goes down entirely, you may be due compensation from your provider. The rules of Ofcom's automatic compensation scheme mean that if your service stops working and isn't fully fixed after two working days, you are due £10.34 for each calendar day the service isn't repaired. You will need to report the fault to your provider and then any compensation due will be credited to your bill within 30 days. 

BT, EE, Hyperoptic, Now Broadband, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk, Utility Warehouse, Virgin Media, Vodafone and Zen Internet have all committed to the automatic compensation scheme.

Contact your provider if there's a consistent problem

If you consistently get a lower speed than you were promised, your broadband provider may be in breach of contract. Get in touch with them to ask what they can do - presenting the evidence you have found in your speed test results can be useful here. If your speed drops below your minimum guaranteed speed, this must be rectified within a month - if not, your provider must allow you to exit your contract penalty-free. They may also offer other options - for example reducing the amount you pay or moving you to a different package. However, the choice whether to stay or switch will be yours.

Find out more about how to contact your provider and request a resolution using our advice on how to complain about slow broadband speed.

Upgrade your broadband service

If you find the problem isn't that your connection is slower than it should be, but it's still too slow for your needs, it's worth considering whether upgrading your service is possible.

Check whether the infrastructure in your area has improved - the roll out of full fibre in recent years means that some 86% of UK households now have access. You might find that much faster broadband speeds are available compared to when you last looked at deals. 

Upgrading doesn't mean paying over the odds, either. Our recent analysis found it's possible to get full fibre deals with decent speeds for just a £28 per month - even when upfront costs and price rises are factored in. And research from Ofcom has shown that faster broadband services are becoming much more affordable. It’s found that in many cases, customers can switch to a faster, more reliable full-fibre service and pay the same or less than they paid previously for a partial fibre (or slower standard broadband) connection.

Don't be put off if accessing a faster full fibre deal involves switching providers - our research consistently shows that people find the process easy. Your new provider will take care of it for you.  We've broken down the process into three straightforward steps - use our easy guide on how to switch broadband provider.