How to run an accurate NBN speed test.
Speed tests are only useful if you run them correctly. A few common mistakes make results misleadingly slow.
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See our plansWhy this happens
- Wi-Fi overhead, background downloads, and busy test servers all skew results
- Most speed test apps on phones underperform due to device CPU limits
- Testing at the wrong time of day doesn't reflect your ISP's worst-case performance
How to fix it — step by step
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1. Use ethernet, not Wi-Fi
Plug your laptop or desktop directly into your router with a network cable. Wi-Fi never matches your plan speed and varies with signal strength.
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2. Close everything else
Pause any downloads, streaming, or cloud backups on all devices in your home before testing. Even one 4K stream can eat 25 Mbps.
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3. Use multiple test sites
Run tests on fast.com, speedtest.net (pick a server in your capital city), and nperf.com. Take the average, not the best result.
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4. Test at different times
Run tests at 10 am (off-peak) and 8 pm (peak). If peak is much slower, your ISP has evening congestion.
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5. Compare to Typical Evening Speed
Your ISP is required to publish their Typical Evening Speed for each plan. Compare your 8 pm result to that figure — if you're consistently below it, that's grounds to complain.
Still having trouble?
If none of these steps resolve the problem, it may be an issue with your current provider. HIT Pacific offers transparent pricing, faster fault response, and local support.
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