Internet speed test
An internet speed test answers a simple question: how fast is data reaching this device right now, and how steady does the connection feel? Pulse does that in the browser with download Mbps plus latency and jitter—handy whether you are on home broadband, office Wi-Fi, or tethered 4G, as long as the browser can reach our test path.
What an internet speed test measures here
Pulse measures download throughput (Mbps), latency (round-trip ms), and jitter (variation in latency). It does not measure upload. For plain-language definitions see what download speed, latency, and jitter mean.
What download, latency, and jitter mean in practice
Download covers bulk arrivals: streaming, pages, patches. Latency is responsiveness. Jitter is whether that responsiveness wobbles—important for calls and games even when Mbps looks high.
When a quick test is enough—and when to repeat
A single run can settle a nagging doubt before a Teams call. If you are choosing a new package or opening a formal complaint, log several runs at honest times. A freelancer in Oxford ran one lunchtime check before a client call; a family in Hull ran five evening tests before upgrading FTTP.
Phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops
Each device has different Wi-Fi hardware and background apps. A tablet on 5 GHz near the router may outscore a gaming PC on 2.4 GHz in a loft—compare fairly, not competitively.
Run Pulse
Start the live Pulse internet speed test on the homepage. Technical limits: methodology.
FAQ
Is an internet speed test the same as a broadband-only test?
Broadband is the service; internet speed test describes the check. Pulse measures your live path from this device, whether you are on fibre Wi-Fi or a phone hotspot.
Why do phones and laptops show different numbers?
Radio, antenna, and background apps differ. Compare like with like: same room, same time, same network name where possible.
Does Pulse measure upload?
No. It reports download, latency, and jitter for this session.
When is one quick test enough?
For a sanity check before a call or download. For complaints or upgrades, run several tests and note the setup.