How to check how many megabits the broadband is?

To accurately measure your broadband connection's current throughput in megabits per second, you should conduct a controlled speed test using a reputable online service such as Ookla's Speedtest.net, Fast.com, or the measurement tool provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This is the definitive method, as the advertised "up to" speed in your contract represents a maximum potential under ideal conditions, not a real-time guarantee. The actual performance is a dynamic result of network congestion, your home hardware, and testing methodology. For a meaningful result, you must directly connect your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable, as Wi-Fi introduces significant variables like signal strength and interference that will produce a measurement of your local wireless network, not your pure broadband feed. Before testing, ensure all other devices on your network are disconnected or their applications are closed to prevent background updates or streaming from consuming bandwidth and skewing the results.

The mechanism of these tests is standardized: the tool selects a nearby server, sends a burst of data to measure download speed, receives a burst to measure upload speed, and records the latency. The download result, expressed in Mbps, is the primary metric for most users, indicating how quickly data can be pulled from the internet to your device. It is critical to run multiple tests at different times of day, including during peak evening hours, to establish a performance profile. A single test is merely a snapshot; consistent underperformance relative to your subscribed tier—for instance, consistently measuring 30 Mbps when paying for 300 Mbps—forms the basis for a technical inquiry with your ISP. Note that speeds are typically advertised in megabits (Mb), while file sizes on your computer are in megabytes (MB); 8 megabits equal 1 megabyte, so a 100 Mbps connection has a theoretical maximum download rate of about 12.5 MB per second.

Beyond the speed test, diagnostic steps can isolate the cause of any discrepancy. If the wired speed test meets expectations but Wi-Fi performance is poor, the issue lies within your internal network, pointing to router placement, outdated equipment, or the need for a mesh system. If the wired test is consistently subpar, a direct connection of a single computer to the ISP's modem, bypassing your router entirely, can determine if your own hardware is the bottleneck. Should the problem persist at the modem, the fault likely resides with the ISP's service line or infrastructure. In this case, your recorded speed test history becomes essential evidence. When contacting your ISP's support, present this specific data—dates, times, and results from wired tests—rather than subjective complaints about slowness. They may run a line test from their end and can often identify signal degradation or node congestion that requires a technician visit. Understanding this process shifts the exercise from a simple check to an ongoing diagnostic practice, empowering you to manage and verify the utility you are purchasing.