How to Measure Comcast Cable Speed

Comcast cable Internet, like all Internet service providers, doesn't promise a guaranteed speed. The speed of a Comcast cable connection depends on various factors, including the time of day and how much bandwidth on your cable line other Comcast users are using. Because of the nature of the Internet, the speed of your cable connection must be measured by analyzing the speed between your computer and a server on the Internet. Measure Comcast cable speed using a bandwidth speed test website.

Instructions

Speedtest.net

1. Open the Speedtest.net website (see Resources).

2. Close all applications accessing the Internet on your computer and any other computers on your local network, including file-downloading programs and instant-messenger programs. Other programs using the Internet connection affect the speed test's measurements.

3. Begin the Comcast cable speed test by clicking "Begin Test" on the Speedtest webpage.

4. View the measured speeds of your Comcast cable connection on the Speedtest webpage. The speed at which your connection downloads files is displayed under "Download," and the speed at which it transfers files to the Internet is displayed under "Upload." The time it takes for a message from your computer to return from a web server is displayed under "Ping."

Speakeasy Speed Test

1. Open the Speakeasy Speed Test website (see Resources).

2. Close all applications accessing the Internet on your computer and any other computers on your local network, including file-downloading programs and instant-messenger programs. Other programs using the Internet connection affect the speed test's measurements.

3. Start the speed test by selecting the closest city to your current location. Click the name of the city in the "Choose a Location" list on the Speakeasy Speed Test webpage.

4. View the speed of your Comcast cable connection under "Results" on the Speakeasy Speed Test webpage. The speed at which your connection downloads files is displayed above "Download Speed," and the speed at which it transfers files to the Internet is displayed above "Upload Speed."

CNET Bandwidth Meter

1. Open the CNET Bandwidth Meter website (see Resources).

2. Close all applications accessing the Internet on your computer and any other computers on your local network, including file-downloading programs and instant-messenger programs. Other programs using the Internet connection affect the speed test's measurements.

3. Type your telephone area code into the "Enter Your Area Code" box on the CNET Bandwidth Meter webpage.

4. Click "Cable Modem" under "Choose Your Connection Type."

5. Click the "Select Your ISP" box, then click "Comcast" in the list.

6. Start the speed test by clicking "Go" on the CNET Bandwidth Meter webpage.

7. View the speed of your Comcast cable connection on the resulting Bandwidth Meter Online Speed Test Results page.

Resources

• Speedtest.net
• Speakeasy: Speed Test
• CNET: Bandwidth Meter Online Speed Test