How to Measure Your Fiber’s Real Speed (Speed Test)
By Carla Serra ·
To measure your fiber’s real speed, connect your computer to the router by cable, close other applications, and run a reliable speed test. In under a minute you’ll know the download and upload Mbps you’re getting, and you can compare them with your contracted plan.
What is a fiber speed test
A fiber speed test is a check that measures how much data your connection can send and receive at a given moment. The result is expressed in megabits per second (Mbps) and includes three key figures: download speed, upload speed, and latency or ping.
Running a fiber speed test from time to time helps you confirm you’re getting what you pay for, spot problems in your home network, and decide whether it’s worth upgrading your equipment or your plan.
How to run a reliable fiber speed test
The key to an accurate measurement is eliminating anything that could skew the result. Follow these steps to get a figure as close as possible to your real speed:
- Connect by cable. Plug your computer into the router with a network cable. WiFi always loses something along the way.
- Close apps and devices. Pause downloads, streaming, and cloud backups, and disconnect phones or TVs that are using data.
- Use a trusted test. Choose a reputable speed test tool and, if you can, repeat it on two or three different servers.
- Repeat it a few times. Run three tests in a row and take the average; a single test can give a one-off, less representative figure.
- Test at different times. Measure in the morning and at night to see if there are differences during peak hours.
Why test by cable and not over WiFi
WiFi is convenient, but the wireless signal is affected by distance, walls, and interference from other devices. If you test over WiFi and the result is low, the problem could be your wireless coverage, not your fiber. That’s why, to find out your line’s real speed, cable is always the reference point.
How to read your speed test results
Once you have the numbers, it helps to know what each one means. This table gives you a quick read of your test:
| Metric | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Download | Speed for receiving data | Streaming, browsing, and downloads |
| Upload | Speed for sending data | Video calls, cloud backups, and remote work |
| Ping (latency) | Response time in milliseconds | Online gaming and smooth video calls |
With a symmetrical connection, download and upload speeds are equal. In other words, if you have 1 Gb, you receive and send data at the same speed, especially useful for remote work, uploading videos, or video calls without interruptions.
Why you sometimes don’t see 100% of your speed
It’s normal for the test not to show exactly the figure on your plan. Several factors play a role:
- The device. An older computer or a limited network card doesn’t always reach maximum speed.
- The cable. An old or low-category network cable can slow down the connection.
- The test server. If the measuring server is overloaded or far away, the result drops.
- WiFi. Testing without a cable almost always gives lower figures than the real speed.
- Other usage. A device downloading in the background takes up part of the bandwidth.
Tips to get the most out of your fiber
If the test shows there’s room for improvement, try these simple adjustments:
- Place the router in an open, elevated spot, away from the microwave and other appliances.
- Use the 5 GHz WiFi band for devices near the router.
- Connect the devices that use the most data, like your work computer or console, by cable.
- Keep the router updated and restart it if you notice it’s running slow.
- Check how many devices are connected at the same time.
With a WiFi 6 router like the one we include at Floutel, you distribute the signal better across many devices at once and make more of your fiber’s speed throughout the house.
How often you should run a test
You don’t need to obsess over testing daily, but it is a good idea to run a test at specific moments to get a reliable snapshot of your connection:
- When your fiber is installed. Check from day one that you’re getting the speed on your plan.
- After changing equipment. If you get a new router or computer, test again to see the difference.
- When you notice slowdowns. If pages are slow to load or video keeps buffering, a test tells you whether the problem is with the line.
- Before and after switching plans. That way you confirm the new speed has actually arrived.
Save a screenshot or note down the results with the date. Keeping a small history lets you track how your connection evolves and gives you useful data if you ever need to contact your provider.
Floutel fiber: real symmetrical speed
At Floutel, we want the number on your test to match the number on your plan. That’s why we offer symmetrical fiber optic at 600 Mb and 1 Gb, with the same download and upload speed, and a WiFi 6 router included so you make the most of every megabit at home. And if you want to bring your mobile along too, you can add 100 GB with 5G.
We’re a provider based in Manresa (Catalonia) with a personal touch and no small print: we explain clearly what you’re signing up for. Check out all our fiber options or combine it into a fiber and mobile plan. Still have questions about your speed? Take a look at our FAQs.
Test your fiber and compare
Run your speed test, note the results, and compare them with what you’re getting today. If your fiber isn’t performing as it should, at Floutel we’ll help you switch to real symmetrical fiber from €11/month. Call us on 900 525 523 and we’ll explain it to you straight.
