How We Test
Testing Methodology
Our speed tests are designed to measure real-world Usenet performance as accurately as possible. We test three key metrics that matter most to Usenet users: download speed, upload speed, and latency (ping).
What We Measure
Download Speed
The most critical metric for Usenet users. We measure the maximum throughput achievable when downloading binary data from each provider's servers. Results are reported in Mbps (megabits per second).
Upload Speed
While less critical for most users, upload speed matters for those who post to newsgroups. We measure the maximum upload throughput to each provider.
Latency (Ping)
Latency measures the round-trip time between your connection and the provider's nearest server. Lower latency means faster initial connections and more responsive browsing.
Server Network
We operate test servers in 8 strategic locations worldwide to ensure accurate measurements regardless of your location:
Data Integrity
Speed test results naturally vary based on time of day, network congestion, and your local ISP conditions. We account for this by averaging results over multiple test runs and applying statistical smoothing. Our country-level rankings represent aggregated data from thousands of tests conducted by users in each region.
Provider Rankings
Providers are ranked primarily by download speed, as this is the most important metric for the majority of Usenet users. Secondary factors include upload speed, latency, consistency of results, and overall reliability. Rankings are updated continuously as new test data is collected.