Download speed vs speed test results

[superdnub]

I have comcast cable. I am paying for a 6.5 mbps download rate. Cnet speed test and Comcast speed tests confirm this is my download speed. I am actually getting around 500 kbps on any file I have ever attempted to download from various sources/torrents. I am connected directly to the cable modem with a wire. Why don't I see speeds even close to my bandwith limit ever? Is there a way to optimize my connection speed to get anywhere near my 6.5 mbps limit?

 

[joedastudd]

Are you sure its MB/s and not Mbit/s?

 

[kaa0653]

ISPs advertise speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) or kilobits per second (Kbps)
Usually when you download it is listed as megabytes (MBps) or kilobytes per second (KBps)

6.5 Mbps = .8125 MBps = 812.5 KBps

You usually never get 100% of that for downloads, it's closer to 80%. On top of that your speed is acutally fluctuating all the time, it's dependant upon the activity in your area. You also have to remember that there is another end of this and you may also be limited by their upload speed.

Double check what the speeds are listed as. If it really is Kbps and not KBps, it's possible there is a problem.

 

[superdnub]

http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Learn/highspeedinternet/highspeedinternet.html Paying for the Performance starter package which lists it as 6 Mbps NOT MBps so it's entirely possible they are using semantics of computer jargon to confuse people including myself. Thanks for the help.

 

[superdnub]

Best answer selected by superdnub.