Take This Test

http://www.speedtest.net/

It allows you to test download/upload speeds, ping test etc. It allows
you to compare graphically back to calendar date you select, your
download/upload speeds.

Put it this way: If my download speed history was a rollercoaster,
people would NOT come off the ride alive! OTOH, my upload speed is
mostly rock-stady, 2.08~2.09mbps. On a download test where my speed
was 8.9mbps, the max was 5.9mbps and the max was 13 & change. And
that swing was during just one test!

Is it my pc, the cable internet provider, the volume of users/time of
day??

-ChrisCoaster.

 

And if cable internet was a "shared media" down near the access, would
you then be surprised by the results ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_Internet_access

"Shared bandwidth

Like most residential broadband technologies, such as FTTX, Satellite
Internet, or WiMAX, a population of users share the available bandwidth.

Some technologies share only their core network, while some including
Cable Internet and PON also share the access network. This arrangement
allows the network operator to take advantage of statistical multiplexing,
a bandwidth sharing technique which is employed to distribute bandwidth
fairly, in order to provide an adequate level of service at an acceptable
price. However, the operator has to monitor usage patterns and scale the
network appropriately, to ensure that customers receive adequate service
even during peak-usage times. If the network operator does not provide
enough bandwidth for a particular neighborhood, the service can become
sluggish if many people are using the service at the same time.

Operators have been known to use a bandwidth cap, or other bandwidth
throttling technique; users' download speed is limited during peak times,
if they have downloaded a large amount of data that day.
"

My ADSL numbers aren't nearly as good as your cable, so even with the
rollercoaster performance, you'd still got me beat. My access has more
consistent performance, but even your "minimum", beats my numbers. So
you're better off. Be careful what you wish for. My upload speed is
so poor, about the only thing it would support is a voice connection
(or a very crappy low bandwidth video connection).

Paul

 

_______________________________

Actually Paul my "guaranteed upload"(that is if I'm sending you
somthing) is 1.5mbps. I've got that beat: 2.09!

Guaranteed dowload = 15mbps. Mine: 4.0 to 19mbps final(not
considering the roller coasters)

-CC

 

25.38 Mbps Down 5.21 Mbps UP Ping 16

Verizon FiOS. Exactly what I pay for. 24/7

 

_________________________
But look closely at the bottom of the test window - as the line goes
across does it roller-coaster a lot? Mine does.

2 minutes before posting this: My Optimum: 21.39 Down 2.10 Up Ping
11 (my pings are typically 10 to 12)
My Upload was 1.8, Once, but never again. Otherwise always 2.09 ~
2.10.

-CC

 

Download speed swings are a function of the service and the loads upon it.

 

I got speeds of 25.77 and 4.78. I use Verizon FiOS.

 

You ping is slow. My ping is 9. I also have FiOS.

 

_____________________
Still, both our pings are faster than the average suggested by the
site: http://pingtest.net/learn.php Anything less than 50ms is
considered acceptable. Before my harddrive replacement I used to get
pings between 5 & 10ms! Nowadays 11 - 15 is normal for me.

-CC

 

I'm so envious. I'm TW Cable. 10.6 down, 1M up and a ping of 21ms.
I have the 3 way bundle, cable, phone & internets for $130 per month.
What does your FiOS cost?