Using BT's Speed Tester

Aim of this article:

This articles describes how to use the BT Speed Tester Service to determine the approximate speed of an ADSL connection. If you experience a speed fault the BT speed tester evidence is vital for progressing the issue with BT where a problem with the BT network is identified.

Information on the BT Speed Checker:

The BT Speed Tester provides an indication of the speed of an ADSL connection at three different stages of connectivity which are outlined below:

• Stage 1 -> Home Network -> BT Network -> Zen Network -> The Internet
• Stage 2 -> Home Network -> BT Network -> Zen Network
• Stage 3 -> Home Network -> BT Network

NOTE: For customers on the BTW 21CN platform only Stage 1 of the speed checker works at present.

In order to progress through the stages, the tests from a previous stage must fail.

You may be prompted to alter your ADSL connection details at various stages.  It is therefore recommended you have your Zen connection details to hand when performing the test. Your connection username and password can be found in your Technical Details E-mail or by logging in to the Customer Portal. When asked to alter your connection details it is important to note that although you are able to continue to use the test webpage, other websites will not be accessible.

Customers using a Routed IP mode configured router may have problems completing the test. Zen recommend you use a more basic NAT configuration for the duration of the speed test.

The testing undertaken at each stage can fail for various reasons. These reasons are not limited to those that may indicate a fault. It is recommended that the tests be run several times to ensure accurate results. However, if after several attempts, you are unable to get appropriate results you should contact Technical Support.

NOTE: Online speed tests cannot be guaranteed to provide accurate results, they should therefore be used as a guide only. Speed Tests performed on Apple Mac and Linux operating systems can frequently be incorrect.

Accessing the BT Speed Test:

NOTE: The BT Speed Test must be performed from the DSL connection you are testing, remote testing is not yet available.

Stage 1
To start the testing procedure simply browse to the following address, you do not need to alter any connection details at this point.

http://speedtester.bt.com

You will be presented with BT's Performance Tester page, enter the following information, as prompted:

Telephone Number: Type in your ADSL line number.

Click Go. 

After a short pause you will be asked to perform additional validation. 

Login Name: Enter your standard Zen username in the format zenXXXXX@zen or zenadslXXXXX@zen

Click Go.

The page will change indicating that the test is now running. You will also be able to view the configured download throughput speed for your connection, see Related Article.

Upon completion of the Performance Test you will receive the following information:

• IP profile of your line
• DSL Connection rate (Sync rate upstream and downstream)
• Actual speed throughput

The results are provided in kilo bits per second (Kbps) and are logged so both Zen and BT have access for any future diagnostics. A pass at this stage would indicate that the tester has been unable to find any issues with your connection speed.

If the tester does indicate a likely issue and has failed, you may move on to Stage 2.

Stage 2
A failure at Stage 1 means that your connection speed is currently below the performance threshold for your service (Related Article).

After clicking Continue you will be asked to reconfigure your connection settings by entering a username of bt_test_user@zen (the password entered is irrelevent).  If you are using a modem then you should change your dial-up username.  If you are using a router you should access the configuration menu and change the username in the login options.  The current username will be of the form zenXXXXX@zen or zenadslXXXX@zen. 
Enter the bt_test_user@zen username in to your router and then connect. 

Once your router/modem has connected with this user close/quit your Web browser.  On an Apple Mac you should click File -> Quit to ensure the browser has closed completely.

NOTE: You will not be able to browse normal Web pages using this login.

Once you have closed your browser open it again and browse to the following page:  http:/www.speedtest.bt.com/
(note the addition of 'www' to the URL)

You will be presented with BT's Performance Tester page, enter the following information, as prompted:

Telephone Number: Type in your ADSL line number.

Click Go. 

After a short pause you will be asked to perform additional validation. 

Login name: Enter the username currently configured in the router into the box provided (bt_test_user@zen).

Click Go.

The page will change indicating that the test is now running. Once the test has completed you will either be advised that the test has passed and it has been unable to identify any performance problems with your service at this time or that the test has failed and further testing is required in which case you will be automatically redirected to Stage 3. 

Stage 3
For this test you need to reconfigure your connection settings again by entering a username of speedtest@speedtest_domain (the password entered is irrelevent).  Once you have changed the username and your modem/router has reconnected you must again completely close/quit your Web browser.

Once you have closed your browser open it again and browse to the following page:
http://speedtester.bt.com/
(note the 'www' has been removed again)

You will be presented with BT's Performance Tester page, enter the following information, as prompted:

Telephone Number: Type in your ADSL line number.

Click Go. 

After a short pause you will be asked to perform additional validation. 

Login name: Enter the username currently configured in the router into the box provided (speedtest@speedtest_domain).

Click Go.

Once test 3 has completed you will be advised if the BT speed tester believes you have a performance related issue.  If the test has failed and you are advised to contact your service provider please contact Zen Technical Support via the methods outlined below to discuss raising a performance fault.

Contacting Zen Technical Support

If you have any questions regarding the performance of your ADSL line or the BT Speed Tester you may contact Technical Support via telephone or e-mail.  Details are available by clicking the 'Contact us' link.