Harver's Internet Speed Test and System Checker modules are measuring your home internet speed and reliability. This is really important when you apply to a work-from-home position. Harver measures the following:
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Download speed - The rate that information travels from the internet to your device when you do thinks like looking at a web page or download a program or email. Most connections are designed to download much faster than they upload, since the majority of online activity, like loading web pages or streaming videos, consists of downloads.
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Upload speed - The rate that information travels from your device to the internet like when you send an email or file. A fast upload speed is helpful when sending large files via email, or in using video-chat to talk to someone else online (since you have to send your video feed to them).
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Latency (ping) - Latency is the reaction time of your connection – how quickly your device gets a response after you’ve sent out a request. A fast ping means a more responsive connection, especially in applications where timing is everything (like video calls). Ping is measured in milliseconds (ms).
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Jitter - Jitter frequency is a measure of the variability in ping over time. Jitter is not noticeable when reading text, but when streaming or video calling a high jitter can result in buffering and other interruptions. Technically, this is a measure of the average deviation from the mean. Jitter is measured in milliseconds (ms).
How can I improve my results?
Ultimately, it could prove quite difficult to determine the exact cause of your poor wireless network strength or range.
You can check whether you are streaming or downloading anything that might be using bandwidth during the internet speed test, moving closer to the router and then try testing again. If your internet speed test result still seems slow, We have a few tips for you to improve your WiFi strength and internet speed:
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Move your router to a more centralized location or move closer to your router
Where you place your router can have a significant impact on whether you’re seeing the best possible signal coverage. Some of that depends on the type of router you have and its signal strength. Regardless, if you have your wireless router tucked away into your home’s corner office in the basement or the top floor, you may be dealing with far more signal strength and range issues than you need to.
You can move closer to your router while doing the test and in the future, you may relocate your router’s position in your home. -
Switch to a wired connection if possible
If you are using a laptop maybe you can connect your UTP (internet) cable coming from your router directly to your laptop. -
Reduce the number of devices using up the bandwidth
Maybe other devices (laptops, TV, phone, gaming consoles) are using your bandwidth that slows you down.
Others sharing the same network in your home could use the internet actively with services such as Video streaming platforms (Youtube, Netflix, Amazon PrimeVideo, etc.), Online computer games, Playstation or Xbox is downloading updates, etc.
You need to turn off other devices or at least stop the active download process. -
Check for equipment that might be causing an interference
As wireless networks utilize radio frequencies to send and receive data, there’s a chance your wireless signal may be weak due to interference from equipment sending radio signals. All of the following devices can interfere with wireless signals: Microwave, Some electrical power sources (such as power lines), Wireless audio equipment, Some external monitors, Baby monitors. Wireless cameras, etc. -
“Have you tried turning it off and on again?”
Turning a computer, router or modem OFF and back ON can sometimes help with lingering issues. Just unplug the power cable from both the modem and the router, after 60 seconds, plug the modem back in. Wait a minute or two and let it fully reboot, after which you can plug back in the router.
If all else fails, you can always call your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and ask for their help.
FAQ
Why are my speed test results lower than my paid plan’s promised speeds?
It is important to understand that this test does not measure the speed of the internet connection between your ISP’s server and your home, it measures the speed of the internet connection to a device within your home and a speed test server. Results are often lower than plan speeds due to various factors outside your internet provider’s control, including WiFi conditions and device capabilities. With that in mind, if you run a speed test from a device with an expected WiFi speed that is lower than your plan, the results will be limited to roughly your device’s expected WiFi speed.
You can also try the above-mentioned troubleshooting steps to improve your results.
Why am I getting different speeds between my computer and my phone?
Harver is measuring your real-time network connection, so tests taken within a few minutes of each other might vary a little based on network congestion and available bandwidth. If your internet speed test results are significantly different, make sure that you’re connected to the same network. When one device is on Wi-Fi and the other is not, you’re testing the speeds of different connections.
If your phone is connected to a 3G/4G/5G network, you are not measuring your home internet speed.
What can affect my home internet speed and WiFi strength?
Given your wireless network is broadcasting using radio waves, it can suffer from all of the same limitations that you’ll typically find with other types of radio signals. As such, your home wireless network may lack the proper strength or range because of the same issues that impact other forms of radio technology: obstacles that cause a reduction in signal strength, interference from other devices sending radio waves, weaker signals sent by older and less efficient wireless equipment, technical issues with the receiving device can make the signal appear weak, or a lack of power from the wireless router resulting in a weaker signal.
What is Mbps?
Mbps: Megabits per second. A megabit is 1 million bits of information. This is a standard measure of internet speed, not to be confused with megabytes (MB) which is a measure of size rather than bandwidth.