GPRS Tweak: does it really increase the speed of your connection?

When I saw this claim over at E61Life, that changing your DNS server address increases your bandwidth, I wanted to call bullshit because anyone who knows even a little bit about networking will know that changing the DNS address doesn’t affect network speed. The resolve time may be decreased yes, but the connection speed should remain constant. I decided to try it out myself. Ran a mobile speed test 6 times, 3 time under my automatic DNS settings, 3 times under this custom address. The phone was kept on my desk and wasn’t moved. I want this to be as scientifically accurate as possible.

Test 1: 114 kbit/sec
Test 2: 103 kbit/sec
Test 3: 144 kbit/sec

Average: 120.33 kbit/sec

Now let me change to the "supercharged" DNS server

Test 1: 164 kbit/sec
Test 2: 176 kbit/sec
Test 3: 179 kbit/sec

Average: 173 kbit/sec

OK now something must be happening here, this doesn’t make sense networking wise. At this point I go back into my phone and put my DNS records back to automatic. I run 3 more tests.

Test 1: 187 kbit/sec
Test 2: 163 kbit/sec
Test 3: 144 kbit/sec

Average: 164.66 kbit/sec

So it’s slower than the "supercharged" DNS server, but faster than the first results … ?

Let me continue the tests on automatic DNS mode

Test 4: 207 kbit/sec
Test 5: 189 kbit/sec
Test 6: 171 kbit/sec

Average: 189 kbit/sec

Now these are the fastest numbers I’ve gotten yet. My hypothesis has been proven wrong, the network speed hasn’t remained constant at all, it has increased. More so it has increased independently to the DNS address used.

I can only come to one conclusion: At the carrier level, bandwidth is allocated to everyone equally. When their systems start seeing that you need more bandwidth they give it to you. They do this in order to maintain QoS (Quality of Service). That or GPRS is too unpredictable to gage network performance.

Do I recommend changing your DNS address? No

Just for shits and giggles I want to see what connecting via WiFi will do to these numbers:

Test 1: 2001 kbit/sec
Test 2: 1677 kbit/sec
Test 3: 1710 kbit/sec

Average: 1796 kbit/sec = <3 WiFi

About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

Daniel

Happy to see you read my blog, but I don’t “claim” anything you know. I read it at S60 blogg S60 Blog and I tell that “perhaps” it will work.
Stefan Constantinescu

ok, i just wanted to present how it shouldn’t matter what your dns address is.
Brad Proctor

What you guys need to make sure you realize is that they use DNS caching on the openDNS servers. The DNS cache on these servers is larger than the common ISP cache due to most ISP’s pointing to another DNS server that updates their local DNS, introducing one more hop in the network. With a mobile device any amount of decreased latency helps. I am not claiming that this tweak will make your connection speed up, just laying the facts on the table.
jijo

hey,first of all tell me Whats DNS (I am not an advanced user).
Can i increase my Gprs Speed by doing so?(my connection is Airtel MOBILE OFFICE)
yash shrivastav

is this thing work on w850i…??how can i increase gprs speed on w850i..
haleel

sir, i am using sirtel mobile office in nokia 3230, how to increase my gprs speed?
geno

i read the review and did the thst and average 115 kbps but my download speed are at 10 to 15 kbps how can i fix this?? my cell phone provider is CincinnatBell wireless
geno

i meant to tell you i’m connecting using a nokia 6300 with usb cable
primus

you people are poor chaps……i dont know how i got lucky but my EDGE speeds go upto 1860kbps and gives download speeds at 31kbps

Maybe the server has mistaken me for a 3g device!!:-D