5 Step Guide to Using Your Internet Speed to Reduce your Broadband Bill

Internet speed refers to how much data and information can be transferred over the web on a single connection at any given time. This is important for consumers because your internet speed determines what types of activities you can do on the internet, as well as how many devices you can connect at once.

When you sign up to a broadband provider there’s nothing more frustrating than it not living up to expectations. In this post I share how to test your internet speed, what good speed test results might be for you, and importantly how to use this when speaking to your internet provider.

Knowing your internet speed when you talk to your broadband provider is useful for demonstrating the performance of your internet connection.

Run an Internet Speed Test

Visit a speedcheck website such as www.speedcheck.org and click start test. The speed checker may ask for location permission (this is just to increase the accuracy of the test). It’ll take a few seconds for the test to complete the speed check. Once complete, you’ll be able to view the upload speed and download speed of your internet connection.

Check your Speed Guarantee

Different broadband providers have different guarantees. My internet provider is Virgin Media and their guarantee states that the guaranteed download speed is 50% of the advertised speed of the service on the date that you placed the order and is set out in the speeds table they send out once you sign up.

The amount of data a user can use from their internet service each month is known as satellite internet data caps. Internet service providers (ISPs) can monitor bandwidth usage on their networks and manage traffic during peak hours by enforcing data restrictions. Your data cap is determined by your internet speed and available capacity.

You should also check to see your broadband providers membership of Ofcom’s Broadband Speeds Code of Practice. You can find a copy of Ofcom’s customer guide to the Residential and Business Codes on the Ofcom website.

Report Your Internet Speed to Your Provider

Find your broadband providers contact details. This can usually be found on their official website, via emails they send you or through a live chat function. Give them a call or start a live chat, explain that you’re dissapointed with your internet speed and your upload/download speed according to your latest speed check.

It’s better to be equipped for this conversation. Know your rights, any guarantee that your broadband provider has and what your internet speed is across several tests.

Give them time to Fix the Issue

Lots of broadband providers include in their guarantee that if they are unable to fix your internet speed problem within 30 days of you reporting the problem to them you may have the right to end your agreement without paying a fee.

That being said, you do need to be patient while they try to improve your connection. Remain calm when talking to your broadband provider and ask when you’re likely to hear back with an update. Make sure to get proof of any promises they make to your in an email (often promises made via phone can get lost in communication if you’re passed to a different representative).

Switching to a new provider

When looking for a new broadband provider I would always recommend a comparison website to compare prices and speeds. If internet speed is a recurring problem make a note of any speed guarantees that a provider offers. Go back to step one if you’re internet speed isn’t living up to the promises made.