Bandwidth Speed Tests, One thing about all internet connections be it T1, T3, DS3, ISDN, DSL, Cable, or Dial-Up they all have different connect speeds and vary during hours of the day and amount of usage being done at one time. Most bandwidth speed tests are not accurate. They are just a general estimate of data transfer. Actual speeds will vary.  Internet limitations, the ISP network's, web servers,  and the customer's computer configuration effect data speed. For example your Network Card Settings TCP/IP Nic Card, the card settings do not come ready for High Speed Internet. You must open the ports on the card using a tweak program like the one from http://www.broadbandreports.com called  DRTCPIP. Both  upstream and downstream change from second to second Bandwidth Speed Tests are close to your advertised speed, but less, than your rated (purchased) line speed. If you can get close to 90% of your rated line speed, everything is perfect! Because your loose about 10% to web pages, tcp/ip header files that tag all internet activity, and also your computer, the web server your downloading from and internet lag. TCP has an overhead in transmission that can be as low as 3%, but ATM overhead is more like 10% .. So you can expect to lose 13% of your purchased speed at least when counting application data transfer rate. Making up a rule of thumb here: Given a Internet  line speed, dividing by 8 and taking off 13% is a reasonable estimate of the maximum likely data download speeds you will manage to get.  "Remember your not the only person on the internet and that the internet is one big shared computer network world wide."

One test you can do if you have a High Speed Internet Connection is to use a Dial-Up Modem and Run a Speed Test a few times and then disconnect and use your High Speed Internet Connection, and run the same test a few times again. You Will notice that those little computer lights on the task bar when you are dialed-up are not accurate it may say your connected at 40,333 you run a speed test you will get about a 28.800 line speed. Don't just limit your judgment to one bandwidth speed test try multiple sites on different servers. One more important thing make sure your reading your transfer rates right.

So, if you can get close to 90% of your rated line speed, everything is perfect! And remember most of all you have High Speed Internet Enjoy and Have FUN!

Read more here at other internet speed information sites.
          Read more about Speed, Latency, Your Computer and the Internet.
          Further reading : I think my connection is having trouble!
          Tweaks, testing and information

Links - Bandwidth Place , Broadband Reports ,    
           CableModemInfo.com ,  Cable Modems & xDSL Speed Patches and
           Programs , AnalogX - Downloads [NetStat Live], 
           Speakeasy.net - atlanta speedtest