far be it for me to brag on a service but CHARTER in Harlem is FAST AS HECK ! Cable Modem now if they would just lower the $$$$$
How fast is your Internet? Columbia County wants to know.
As part of a survey that could help the county apply for federal grants to improve internet service, residents can take an online test that will also give them a reading on their computer's upload and download speeds.
"We're trying to determine different speeds and different broadband capabilities in the county, plus some basic survey information on customer satisfaction," said Lewis Foster, the county's Information Technology manager.
The "internet speed test" asks participants to rate their satisfaction with their service, and also to give a physical address. The test sends a signal from the participant's computer back to the provider and then lists that computer's speed.
"If you're paying a service for a certain amount of speed, it's a way to really see if they're providing the service they say you're paying for," Mr. Foster said, adding, however, that speeds compiled by the tests are affected by the number of computers in a household and other factors.
The county will plot the information on a geographic grid to determine which areas get the fastest service and have the most satisfied internet customers.
If Columbia County decides to pursue the grant, it would finance infrastructure that would enable commercial providers to improve service and expand service areas, as well as offer free wireless in libraries and parks.
Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
TAKE THE TEST
If you want to take the test, go to: http://www.columbiacountyga.gov/. Under "What's New," click on "Internet Speed Test."
Comments
far be it for me to brag on a service but CHARTER in Harlem is FAST AS HECK ! Cable Modem now if they would just lower the $$$$$
Internet speed is important, but so is reliability. That should be considered also.
Another consideration is the age of the computer.
I'm not a computer wizard, but isn't this ping only going to your NIC, therefore the age and speed of your computer won't be a factor?
my guess is it's more than just a "ping" but an actual file that's downloaded and then uploaded to test the throughput
I'm trying to find the answer myself, but all I can find is that they send a small data packet to the client. I'm having difficulty finding how far that packet actually goes. I don't see it going all the way to the HD though. I think this is where a lot of people do need a a faster computer though. I've been at some homes where the person spends $40 month but their computer is so darn slow that they might as well be on a dial up connection.
Hey - computer geeks - just go to the website and try the darn thing!!
Great, another fine project for the county to waste money on. Even with a grant they'll still find ways to incorporate taxpayer's money in order to pay for additional costs. Area internet providers are already in the process of upgrading services and pulling fiberoptic cables; let them do their jobs and keep our tax dollars out of it. Columbia County appears to have gotten into the habit of underwriting businesses instead of simply offering tax incentives. It's high time they stop this practice. If you want to confirm your upload/download speeds there are plenty of trustworthy sites on the internet to do so that don't ask for your personal information. If the county wants to determine internet capabilities in the area all they have to do is check their own permit records and provider data. It's that simple.
It looks like Columbia County is trying to draw a digital divide line along I-20. Let's see...setting up internet stings on Craig's List to get adults to come to our county to find prostitutes and now this. Think we have idle time?
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