What network speeds are simulated with Siteimprove Performance?

Siteimprove Performance uses a range of visitor profiles when simulating network, device, geographic, and speed conditions, as part of gathering data for performance audits.

These visitor profiles are simulated using a global network of test locations, with different parameters for each specific combination.  The specific profiles and connection types themselves are based on global network speed research.  You will find the different visitor types within the tool, during the process of scheduling a new performance measurement. 

The following table shows the specific metrics used for speed simulation:

Note: This table and list of available networks is subject to change and is continuously updated.

As you can see by the table above, different network situations correspond to different network speeds and latency levels.  While it’s often easier to provide an optimal experience for visitors with the fastest devices and network speeds, it’s also important to ensure that you provide an acceptable experience for those on less capable networks. This becomes especially true if you have a geographically wide set of potential visitors, as users will likely travel between different network conditions as they move between regions and areas. 

Why does 4G provide faster network throughput than Wi-Fi? 

While it’s a common assumption that cabled connections, whether residential or commercial, always provide a faster download/upload speed than 4G/LTE, this is not always the case.  For example, according to research done by OpenSignal, across large parts of the globe, modern mobile networks provide throughput speeds that exceed average Wi-Fi connections.

As indicated by the table above, while modern mobile networks can provide high throughput speeds in terms of download/upload, a key difference is the latency experienced by the user. This especially becomes relevant when trying to measure and improve the user experience on the site, as network latency will have a direct effect on the perceived speed of the experience provided to the user.