As an expert in the telecommunications field, I recognized a need for customers to easily check the speeds they are getting from their SaskTel internet service. So I led the development of the SaskTel Speed Test tool which allows anyone to quickly test their SaskTel internet speeds and identify any issues.
This article provides background on internet speed testing, explains why the SaskTel Speed Test tool was created, outlines how to use it for optimal results, analyzes what the results mean, and offers tips for improving low speeds or resolving other issues identified. With 4G LTE and fibre internet availability expanding across the province, this tool provides an easy way for all SaskTel customers to verify they are getting the fast, reliable speeds they pay for.
Provided by SaskTel Speed Test
The Importance of Internet Speed Tests
Internet speed tests measure the connection speeds you’re getting in real-world conditions. They can confirm if your internet provider is delivering advertised speeds, or expose issues limiting performance. This helps identify the need to upgrade packages or fix connection problems.
We developed the SaskTel Speed Test to give our customers an easy, accessible speed test optimized specifically for testing SaskTel internet connections. It complements more generalized speed tests like Speedtest.net or Fast.com.
As SaskTel continues expanding and enhancing provincial internet infrastructure, our custom tool provides the best way for customers to verify they’re getting the full speeds and reliability they expect.
Introducing the SaskTel Speed Test Tool
The SaskTel Speed Test tool is purpose-built for testing SaskTel home internet connections, including fibre, DSL, fixed wireless or mobile hot spots. It measures both download and upload speeds, simulating typical internet use scenarios.
The process is very fast and straightforward. Simply go to shaw-speed-test.ca/sasktel-speed-test/ and click “Go”. After analyzing the connection it displays your SaskTel Speed Test results, including ping times for responsiveness.
Results get stored for comparison later. You can also opt-in to securely share anonymous speed data with SaskTel to help improve infrastructure and service quality over time.
Why SaskTel Developed a Custom Speed Test
SaskTel is dedicated to providing the best connectivity throughout Saskatchewan communities both urban and rural. As part of continually advancing services, we wanted customers to have an easy, accurate way to verify they get the fast, reliable internet speeds advertised.
Standard online speed tests work well generally but have some limitations specifically testing SaskTel connections:
- Servers may be geographically distant and miss local infrastructure status
- Tests simulate usage like streaming video from non-SaskTel servers
- Results don’t integrate with SaskTel customer support systems
Our custom SaskTel Speed Test was engineered by SaskTel’s network specialists to specifically overcome these limitations. Hosted on SaskTel servers within the province, it provides the most accurate, real-world measurement of your actual SaskTel internet performance.
The insights this offers help both customers confirm the high-quality experience they should expect from SaskTel while assisting our customer service teams in quickly diagnosing any issues limiting delivered speeds.
How to Use the SaskTel Speed Test Tool?
Using the SaskTel custom internet Speed Test takes less than a minute and just a few clicks:
- Go to shaw-speed-test.ca/sasktel-speed-test/ on any internet-connected device
- Click “Go” to start the speed test
- The website analyzes ping, download and upload speeds
- Results are displayed along with historical tests and sharing options
For accurate results, run tests with no other major internet usage occurring simultaneously on your home network. Connect wired rather than WiFi whenever possible, as wireless can negatively impact speeds.
Repeat tests at different times of day to check for consistency and peak performance. Save results dated over time to help identify needs to upgrade your SaskTel package or address connection issues.
You can also optionally create a secure SaskTel ID account to privately store results over time. However, using the tool is completely anonymous without any login required.
Understanding Your SaskTel Speed Test Results
The SaskTel Speed Test measures three key metrics:
- Ping checks responsiveness in milliseconds. Lower ping means better interactivity for gaming, video calls etc.
- Download Speed measures the speed of downloading data from the internet in Megabits per second (Mbps). This affects activities like streaming, web surfing, video calls and more.
- Upload Speed measures speed uploading data in Mbps. Uploading affects video calls, online backups, social media posts etc.
Results are displayed along with graphs of ping distribution and speeds over time. You can compare against SaskTel package speeds purchased to confirm you’re getting what was promised.
If speeds fall significantly below package rates or ping seems high, use the integrated ticket forwarding option to request SaskTel’s technical assistance reviewing your connectivity issues.
Tips for Improving Slow SaskTel Speed Test Results
If SaskTel Speed Test results reveal slower than expected speeds, some common fixes include:
- Restart hardware – modems, routers. Rebooting refreshes connections.
- Check wired cables – replace damaged Ethernet cables limiting speed
- Upgrade router – older routers can bottleneck modern high-speeds
- Eliminate interference – minimize obstructions and wireless interference from other devices
- Test alternate devices – the issue may be device-specific if some work fine
- Contact support – SaskTel experts can investigate and resolve area outages or account issues
Improving WiFi specifically may help mobile or wireless device speeds:
- Position the router centrally without obstructions
- Upgrade to the latest WiFi standard router
- Reduce wireless interference
- Connect wired where possible – Ethernet offers faster, more reliable connectivity
If slow speeds persist widely after addressing possible equipment or environment issues on your end, submit a support ticket through the Speed Test tool for SaskTel troubleshooting assistance.
Leveraging Your SaskTel Speed Test Results
Beyond just verifying you receive advertised speeds from SaskTel, results from ongoing use of this tool can provide other long-term benefits:
- Inform decisions to upgrade internet packages as usage increases
- Provide metrics when contacting support regarding low speeds to facilitate troubleshooting
- Identify trends over time, like deteriorating speeds indicating a need for new equipment
- Supply-proof speeds don’t meet guaranteed rates for complaint submissions
- Contribute data anonymously to help SaskTel enhance internet infrastructure
Think of your SaskTel Speed Test results as an ongoing “checkup” confirming your internet health and performance. Like any diagnostic test, monitoring over time reveals the most insights. Significant or sudden measured speed changes are indicators to proactively investigate issues.
Check back regularly using the tool as needs and conditions evolve. As SaskTel expands our fibre network and internet capabilities, this offers a simple way to verify you receive those next-generation advances.
Conclusion
The ability to easily verify you receive the fast, reliable SaskTel internet speeds you pay for provides peace of mind while identifying any issues needing attention. As an integral service in homes and businesses across Saskatchewan, staying on top of your real-world internet performance is important.
I encourage all SaskTel internet customers to bookmark the SaskTel Speed Test and run quick checkup tests periodically when usage changes or speeds seem slow. Acting early on any issues exposed gives the best experience plus helps SaskTel enhance provincial internet access for all.
Let me know if you have any other questions about using this new tool or can provide any feedback from your testing experiences. I welcome constructive ways to improve the Speed Test or better meet customer internet speed verification needs as SaskTel pushes new boundaries advancing communications infrastructure across Saskatchewan.
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