This is due to a number of factors beyond Pioneer’s control which may impact your speed, including (but not limited to) the processing power of your personal computing equipment, applications running on your computer, applications running on other devices in your home network, the nature and quality of your home network connection, third party networks you may be connected to, the performance of the Speedtest webserver during your test and congestion on the Internet.

Absolutely! The Speed Test functionality works with multiple device types (Desktop, Laptop, Tablet and Phone) and most major operating systems. Our new speedtest tool works in your devices browser. You may also download the Speedtest app by Ookla from your device's app store. Please note that laptop and desktop computers connected directly to your Pioneer modem typically provide better results than tablets and smartphones.

• Close all applications, including streaming video and music.
• Connect your computer directly to your modem.
• Disconnect your router from the modem or turn off WiFi if using a 2-n-1 router/modem.
• Laptop and desktop computers connected directly to your Pioneer modem typically provide better results than tablets and smartphones

No. Pioneer Communications does not guarantee that the results of the Speed Test will match your plan subscription 100% of the time. This is due to a number of factors beyond Pioneer’s control which may impact your speed, including (but not limited to) the processing power of your personal computing equipment, applications running on your computer, the nature and quality of your home network connection, third party networks you may be connected to, the performance of the websites you visit and congestion on the Internet.

Thee following sections describe download speeds achieved using Pioneer Communications services on a variety of wireless and connected devices. The maximum expected speeds for all plans are not included in these results.

Speeds are based on real-world conditions. Where a range is displayed, the precise speed depends on the equipment you have (such as device age/models, locations of equipment relative to your Wi-Fi devices) and the 802.11 version your device uses.

Mobile devices (Wi-Fi)

Computers (Wi-Fi)

Computers (Ethernet or USB adapter to Ethernet)

This section describes the maximum expected speeds based on real-world conditions. The most important factors in determining wired connection (Ethernet) speeds are:

• Is your computer capable of gigabit speeds? (True for most computers manufactured after 2009)
• Does your computer have an Ethernet connector? (Most recent laptops don't have one; they require a USB to Ethernet adapter)
• If your computer requires a USB to Ethernet adapter, is your computer capable of USB 3.0? (True for many computers made after 2013)

There are many variables that could impact your speed when connected to the Internet through a wireless network. For example, microwaves, static electricity, fluorescent lights, windows, wall type and thickness, the distance between the router and the connecting device, band and signal settings, multiple devices on the same channel, and several other factors can impact the speeds you receive when wirelessly connected to the Internet.

These Wi-Fi variables can add substantial delay (latency and throughput) which may result in speed degradation. A wired connection eliminates many of the potential variables of a wireless network, resulting in improved performance and at least eliminating potential causes of Internet speed issues.

When contacting Pioneer Communications customer care professionals, one of the first steps in diagnosing Internet connection speed issues is to connect the device being tested directly to the modem. Doing so may allow our service technicians to diagnose and remedy potential issues much faster.

Yes, for optimal performance, place the wireless gateway or router in:

• A central location where client devices will most likely be used
• An elevated location, such as a higher shelf, where laptops have a line of sight view
• A vertical position

Areas to avoid include:·

• Near other interference sources (such as microwaves, high powered appliances, 2.4 GHz cordless phones or other wireless devices close to other Wireless Access Points)
• Basements
• Next to other Wireless Routers
• Near metal objects and surfaces
• Against a wall, tucked away in a corner on the floor or behind furniture
• Near windows
• Close to halogen or florescent lighting

Although Pioneer Communications provides the fastest network speeds available in the home today, there are some steps you can take to ensure the best Wi-Fi speeds possible.

• Place your devices close to your router

  In general, place your router near the center of your home for maximum coverage. Keep your router off the floor, and out of closets and cabinets. Staying within 100 feet of your router will increase your W-iFi speed.

• Ensure that walls or other solid objects aren't blocking your signal

  Wi-Fi networks use a radio signal that can be blocked or weakened by any number of construction materials: cinder block, concrete, metal, and even wood and drywall.

• Check the age of your device

  In most cases, newer wireless devices (computers, phones or tablets) use protocols that enable faster Wi-Fi speeds. You'll get the fastest speeds if your device uses the 802.11n (wireless-N) protocol. If your device uses the 802.11g protocol, it is limited to wireless-G speeds (maximum 54 Mbps).

• Connect to your network's 5 GHz frequency rather than 2.4 GHz

  If you experience interference, consider connecting to your network's 5 GHz signal to improve performance. Signals from neighboring devices can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. Typically this only occurs on the 2.4 GHz signal because other types of devices, for example, microwaves and baby monitors also use the 2.4 GHz signal.

• Avoid WEP security

  If you have used settings in your router to enable WEP security on your network, your maximum network speed will be reduced. To get the fastest speeds with network security, use the WPA2 security setting.

• Check your power settings

  Many modern operating systems will choose to optimize battery life automatically. To do this, the operating system will cause your hardware not to perform and peak levels. Plugging your device into power may improve performance.

Pioneer Communications has partnered with Ookla, a leader in Internet metrics, and the software checks two primary components of your Internet service – Download and Upload speeds.

The Speedtest operates mainly over TCP testing with a HTTP fallback for maximum compatibility. Speedtest measures ping (latency), download speed and upload speed.

TCP Test Components

Latency/Jitter

1. This test is performed by measuring the time it takes for the server to reply to a request from the your client. The client sends a message to the server, upon receiving that message, the server sends a reply back. The round-trip time is measured in ms (milliseconds).
2. This test is repeated multiple times with the lowest value determining the final result.

Download

1. The client establishes multiple connections with the server. The client requests the server to send an initial chunk of data.
2. The client calculates the real-time speed of the transfers, then adjusts the chunk size and buffer size based on this calculation to maximize usage of the network connection.
3. As the chunks are received by the client, the client will request more chunks throughout the duration of the test.
4. During the first half of the test, the client will establish extra connections to the server if it determines additional threads are required to more accurately measure the download speed.
5. The test ends once the configured amount of time has been reached.

Upload

1. The client establishes multiple connections with the server and sends an initial chunk of data.
2. The client calculates the real-time speed of the transfers and adjusts the chunk size and buffer size based on it to maximize usage of the network connection, and requests more data.
3. As the chunks are received by the server, the client will send more chunks throughout the duration of the test.
4. During the first half of the test, the client will establish extra connections to the server if it determines additional threads are required to more accurately measure the upload speed.
5. The test ends once the configured amount of time has been reached.

HTTP Legacy Fallback Testing

Latency

1. This test is performed by measuring the time it takes to get a response for a HTTP request sent to the web server
2. This test is repeated multiple times with the lowest value determining the final result.

Download

1. Small binary files are downloaded from the web server to the client to estimate the connection speed
2. Based on this result, one of several file sizes is selected to use for the real download test
3. The test is performed with cache prevention via random strings appended to each download
4. Throughput samples are received at up to 30 times per second
5. These samples are then aggregated into 20 slices (each being 5% of the samples)
6. The remaining slices are averaged together to determine the final result

Upload Test

1. A small amount of random data is generated in the client and sent to the web server to estimate the connection speed.
2. Based on this result, an appropriately sized chunk of randomly generated data is selected for upload.
3. The upload test is then performed in chunks of uniform size, pushed to the server-side script via POST.
4. We'll use up to four HTTP threads here, as well, to saturate the connection.
5. Chunks are sorted by speed, and the fastest half is averaged to eliminate anomalies and determine the result.

In addition to Download and Upload speeds, the tool provides additional information about the Latency and Jitter of the connection, and your current IP Address.