GCI Broadband Speed Test

Overview

Issue

How To

Products

Categories

More Information


Issue

Steps for using GCI's SpeedTest website, and how to read the results.

How To

Conduct Speed Test
Step / Action
Screen Shot
Go to the site, click here or go to http://speedtest.gci.net

Select a file size.

File size selection should be based on connection type and the test:

  • Connection type
    • Cable Modem Xtreme speed should select the 4.88MB file
    • Cable Modem Ultimate Xtreme speed should select the 9.77MB file
    • Cable Modem Silver speed should select the 1.04MB file
    • Dial Up users should select the 0.14MB file
  • Test Type
    • Download: a larger file size is okay, see above
    • Upload: select a smaller file size

 

Select Download or Upload to test:
Press the Start Button
Results Information / Information on Speed Test

Results: You will see a screen resembling the on one the right providing the information below

  • File transfer number
  • File size transferred (in MB)
  • Total time take (in seconds)
  • Throughput (in KBps, MBps, Kbps and Mbps)

The line for most people to focus on is the Kbps (Kilobit-per-second) line shown at right.

GCI expresses most of our speeds in this value, 1000Kbps equal 1Mbps.

GCI recommends performing this test 5 times to get an average to smooth out differences in network utilization.

You can view the Statistics page by selecting the Statistics button and see the combined results.

This will display Best, Average, and Worst Speed as well as Average Time.



Products

  • HyperNet

Categories

  • Internet/Cable Modem/Com21/Other
  • Internet/Cable Modem/Com21/Speed Prob
  • Internet/Cable Modem/Docsis/Other
  • Internet/Cable Modem/Docsis/QOS
  • Internet/Dialup/Other
  • Internet/Livewire/Speed Prob

More Information

What constitutes a good result? A good result is a value greater than about 85%* of the stated plan value. Historical averages are in the 93% or greater range.

How do I conduct multiple speed tests simultaneously? Steps to conduct simultaneous testing are available on the GCI article labeled "Speed Tweak for Cable Modem users in Nome, Cordova, Kodiak, Bethel and Barrow", under the section "Speed versus Capacity". Click here to go to that article.

Why am I getting less than the speed I signed up for? There are many reasons that can cause you to receive less than 100% of the speed you were told. These include, but are not limited to, cable attenuation, poor PC configuration, your firewall, or your network setup.

I consistently get less than 85% of my plan, what should I do? If you consistently get less than 85% you should contact technical support. They will assist you to determine why you are receiving a slower than normal speed test.

Here is a helpful guide for you to use:

Transfer Rate
(Upload or Download)

85% level
32 Kbps
27.20 Kbps
64 Kbps
54.40 Kbps
128 Kbps
108.80 Kbps
256 Kbps
217.60 Kbps
384 Kbps
326.40 Kbps
512 Kbps
435.20 Kbps
1.0 Mbps
0.85 Mbps (870.40 Kbps)
1.5 Mbps
1.28 Mbps (1,305.60 Kbps)
2.4 Mbps
2.04 Mbps (2,089.96 Kbps)
*Cities of Nome,Cordova, Kodiak and Bethel may see lower numbers due to satellite latency issue, but the bandwidth is available. Speed tweak may assist the cities mentioned at left. See GCI support article on this issue at http://support.gci.net/kb/kb83/ . For all cities serviced by satellite, please use the speed tweak, and open 3-5 concurrent speed test. Combining all of the tests should put you at 85 to 95% of your listed speed

In reality, a speed test measures the latency between your computer and the location of the speed test file, not the capacity of the connection. Speed and capacity are closely related, thus a speed test does provide a general idea of your Internet capacity. GCI believes that all of our customers have access to the full capacity they have selected.