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CityFibre Broadband Speeds Explained
CityFibre broadband speeds are usually shown in megabits or gigabits per second. Those figures describe a connection’s capacity, but the result on a particular device also depends on the router, home network and the service being accessed. This guide explains the numbers and how to test them.
For current prices, package specifications and address availability, use the Exascale CityFibre broadband page. Older launch articles may describe tiers or offers that are no longer available.
Mbps, Gbps and MB/s: what the units mean
Mbps means megabits per second; Gbps means gigabits per second. In broadband package descriptions, 1Gbps is 1,000Mbps. File sizes and download applications often use megabytes, written MB, rather than megabits, written Mb. There are eight bits in a byte.
For example, 1,000Mbps divided by eight is 125MB/s before protocol overheads and other limits. This is a unit conversion, not a promise that every download will reach 125MB/s. The remote server, device and storage can all reduce actual throughput.
Download and upload speeds are different measurements
Download is traffic coming to you; upload is traffic leaving you. Sending a large file or making a cloud backup uses upload capacity. A symmetric package has matching advertised upload and download rates. Check both figures in the specific offer rather than inferring upload performance from its download headline.
How to read gigabit and multi-gig package figures
A 1Gbps tier describes 1,000Mbps of headline capacity, 1.2Gbps describes 1,200Mbps, and 2.5Gbps describes 2,500Mbps. These are examples for interpreting package names; the products available to order depend on the provider and your address.
A speed above 1Gbps is often called multi-gig. It can be shared by several devices, but a single device needs a suitable connection to make use of more than a gigabit. If you are choosing a tier, read is CityFibre multi-gig worth it? for the practical upgrade decision.
Why a speed test may differ from the package headline
A speed test measures the path between the test device and a particular test server at that time. Wi-Fi signal, Ethernet link speed, router processing, other traffic and test-server capacity can all influence the result.
A device on a 1Gbps Ethernet link cannot measure more than that link’s capacity, and usable data throughput will be lower because of overheads. For higher-speed testing, use the multi-gig equipment checklist to check the full path.
How to run a useful CityFibre speed test
1. Use a suitable wired connection. Connect the test device to the router by Ethernet. Check that the negotiated port speed is appropriate for the package. Do not bypass the router or alter the ONT unless your provider specifically directs you.
2. Reduce unrelated traffic. Pause large downloads, backups and updates on other devices. Disable a VPN for the comparison if appropriate, then test it separately if VPN performance is the issue.
3. Record more than one result. Note the date, time, test service, device, connection type and upload and download figures. Compare results at different times rather than drawing a conclusion from one reading.
4. Compare Wi-Fi separately. Once you have a wired result, repeat from your usual wireless location. A large difference helps identify a home-network issue rather than automatically indicating a problem with the fibre line.
What to do with a disappointing result
Compare the results with the speed information supplied for your service, including how any minimum guarantee is defined. Share the test details with Exascale support if the wired performance is consistently below expectations. CityFibre’s troubleshooting guidance also recommends checking a wired connection and contacting your provider.
Looking to order instead? View current CityFibre broadband packages and check your address.