How to Check the Internet Speed for Verizon FiOS

by Larry Simmons
Using fiber optic cables, Verizon FiOS can bring blazing broadband speeds to your home, depending on speed test results.

Using fiber optic cables, Verizon FiOS can bring blazing broadband speeds to your home, depending on speed test results.

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Verizon's fiber optic-based FiOS service offers some of the highest Internet speeds in the United States. To check that you are getting the speed you're paying for, though, you should run a speed test application. A speed test application tests your broadband speeds by sending data over the network to a specified server, measuring how long the data packet took to reach its destination. The test only takes a short time, with results immediately available.

Step 1

Open your Web browser and navigate to the Verizon Broadband Speed Test site (my.Verizon.com/micro/speedtest/broadband/).

Step 2

Press the red button on the site marked "Check My Speed."

Step 3

Read through the disclaimer on the page that opens to make certain you understand the limitations on bandwidth speeds. These limitations include equipment used to access the FIOS service, such as your computer or Wi-Fi adapter, and the state of the Internet at the time of the test. Press the red "Continue" button.

Step 4

Use the selection window to select the state that you are in currently, and then click the red "Continue" button.

Step 5

Watch as the Verizon speed test application performs various tests on your connection. The application checks first to make certain that your FiOS connection is active, then runs an upload and download test by sending packets to and from your computer and measuring the length of time it takes to transfer them. It can take from a few seconds to two minutes for the application to run all tests.

Step 6

Read the displayed results after the test finishes in order to find out your connection speed. Both a download and upload speed are displayed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The higher the number of megabits displayed, the faster your Internet connection is.

Step 7

Press the red "Run The Test Again" to repeat the test if you feel there is some temporary condition affecting your Internet connection, such as congestion during peak usage times.

Tip

  • Turn off any bandwidth-using applications before running the test, such as peer-to-peer sharing applications, downloads or video streams.

About the Author

Larry Simmons is a freelance writer and expert in the fusion of computer technology and business. He has a B.S. in economics, an M.S. in information systems, an M.S. in communications technology, as well as significant work towards an M.B.A. in finance. He's published several hundred articles with Demand Studios.

Photo Credits

  • Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images