Why are cabled speed tests needed? #

We need cabled speed tests to rule out Wifi related problems and the fibre networks require these tests to open support tickets. Please view our Ethernet Testing Policy for more details.

You will need an Ethernet cable and a laptop with a Gigabit Ethernet port. Ethernet adaptors are available on sites like Takealot.

This guide explains how to do a cabled speed test. It has two parts: regular browser based testing, and app based testing for faster lines (500Mbps+).

Browser Based Speed Test 🚀 #

Step 1 #

Reboot your router and fibre box (ONT/CPE) and check they have stable power. Check your cabling and power adapters. Make sure everything is “clicked” into place and your fibre patch cable is not kinked or wound too tightly. Vumatel Active Ethernet customers should leave the CPE powered off for 5min before testing.

Step 2 #

Check if the lights on your fibre box (ONT/CPE) show an active fibre connection:

• Green ‘PON’ light for Octotel
• Green ‘Broadband’ light for Frogfoot
• Green ‘F’ or Orange ‘FX’ light for Vumatel
• Green ‘PON’ or similar for Openserve

Step 3 #

Connect a laptop directly to your fibre box (ONT/CPE) with an Ethernet cable and test your speeds at: https://speedtest.co.za. Make sure all VPN services are disabled. Check that your laptop has a Gigabit Ethernet port – or else you will see speeds below 100Mbps.

Openserve fibre customers can test with a laptop connected to the router or configure a PPPoE login on their laptop.

If you still notice speed problems, please email us the following: #

• Photo of your fibre box lights, clearly showing the PON or Broadband or F/FX light
• Screenshot or photo of your speed test result (from speedtest.co.za)
• Details of which fibre network you are on, and your general location
• Summary of the problem, for example: “download speeds are slow in the evenings, but seem fine in the day” or “After Loadshedding I often notice the following problem…”
• Email to: support@atomic.co.za

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Gigabit Speed Test – App Based Test 🚀 #

⚠️ Browser speed tests often become unreliable above 300Mbps, and a lot of the speed test servers only have a 1Gbps connections.

If you are Gigabit Fibre customer and are struggling to achieve fast speed test results, please install an app or use iPerf.

How to test with the Speedtest App 🚦 #

✅ Using a Gigabit LAN port and Cat5/Cat6 Ethernet cable, plug a laptop or desktop PC directly into your fibre box. Openserve customers should configure a PPPoE login on a laptop.

✅ Install the Speedtest.net app (download) on your laptop or desktop and run a few tests. Select a server in Cape Town. Try a few different servers.

Keep an eye on your device’s CPU while you are running the tests to ensure your laptop/desktop is not saturating its CPU.

Speeds to Expect 🏁 #

• Web based speed test: around 800Mbps – not a very accurate test
• Speedtest.net desktop app: around 900Mbps – more accurate test
• iPerf3: up to about 950Mbps should be possible on a healthy line – accurate test

🤓 If you want to take your testing to the next level, consider our iPerf testing process.