![\"speedtest2\"](\"http:\/\/www.compucara.ie\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/speedtest2.jpg\")
<\/a>Broadband test<\/p><\/div>\n
In this day and age there is so much talk about the Internet of Things and how much can be done to use it to increase our social , educational and other welfare.\u00a0 Nowadays our statutory requirements such as paying property tax and making annual returns are also done online.\u00a0 But for some people access to the Internet is not that simple because their broadband connection is very slow and sometimes not there at all.\u00a0 This can be a frustrating problem.<\/p>\n
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There are three things that can interfere with a person’s ability to enjoy the Internet, the first is not having a computer or access to one, the second is suffering a bad connection to the Internet, the third is not knowing how to use the computer.<\/p>\n
In the eyes of the Government, or Revenue at least,\u00a0 not having a computer is not a sufficient reason to stop you returning your accounts online, even though they do not recommend that you use a computer\u00a0 in a library of a post office for security reasons.\u00a0 I am still struggling with the reasoning behind this.<\/p>\n
Secondly having a bad connection to the Internet can interfere with your ability to use it effectively.\u00a0 According to the National Broadband scheme website, the Government have invested \u20ac79.8 million in ensuring that people who are in remote areas have a good connection to the Internet, they have also received matching funding from the ERDF.\u00a0 The infrastructure which provides this broadband service was most recently upgraded in October 2012. The table below describes the service that everyone on the National Broadband scheme with 3 should be receiving.<\/p>\n
Current NBS Service Specifications – Upgraded in October 2012<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n 18:1<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 100ms<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n If you believe your Internet connection is not behaving as promised by the National Broadband scheme.\u00a0 I would like to recommend that you treat it like any unwell person or animal.\u00a0 Observe it over a few days, even a few weeks.\u00a0 Take a speed test a couple of times a day and record it.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n Mobile Wireless (I-HSPA)<\/b><\/td>\n Min (at cell edge)<\/b><\/td>\n Max (at cell centre)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Download Speed<\/b><\/td>\n 2.3Mbps<\/b><\/td>\n 10.4Mbps<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Upload Speed<\/b><\/td>\n 1.4Mbps<\/b><\/td>\n 4.8Mbps<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Maximum contention ratio<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n Round-trip latency<\/b><\/td>\n \n \n Monthly Data Cap (uncharged<\/b>)<\/td>\n 40GB – (30GB download, 10GB upload)<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n