When the internet was first used in homes, dial-up was the only option, and there really weren’t any speeds to consider. Everyone had the same internet, but today, there is a range of different internet connections to choose from and much faster speeds. So, how do you know if you have a good internet speed? How do you tell if it’s time for an upgrade? It starts with understanding internet speeds and how much internet is needed.
Understanding Internet Speeds
Internet speeds are based on how long it takes for a data packet to download or upload. So what makes for good internet speeds? Fiber internet offers the fastest speeds, with data packets being downloaded or uploaded the fastest. What this means is whenever the user has to download or upload something, which can happen when they open a website, download a movie, or play a game, it’s going to happen much faster with fiber internet instead of a slower connection like cable or DSL. With fiber internet, it’s possible to get speeds of one Gbps, which means a Gb of data can be downloaded in a second.
Wired Vs Wi-Fi Speeds
Most internet-connected devices today are wireless. Gone are the days when a desktop is the only option, as wi-fi makes it possible to use the internet anywhere in the house without worrying about wires going everywhere. However, it is important to note that wi-fi is slower than Ethernet connections. A wired connection is always going to be faster. Those who need faster speeds will want to make sure it’s fast enough that they get the speeds they need on wi-fi, not just the devices that can use a wired connection.
Changes in Speed During the Day
Internet speed on most connections can change throughout the day. When no one is home, the internet is going to be faster. During peak use times, the internet will be slower. This is because of the bandwidth available to handle the internet. Those who need fast speeds throughout the day, no matter the time, may want to consider upgrading. Fiber has a lot more bandwidth, so it’s not going to slow down during certain parts of the day, no matter how many people are connected to the internet. It’s always going to have the fastest speeds possible, so whether someone works from home or wants to relax and play a game in the evening, fast internet is there.
Improving Internet Speeds
If the internet seems to be going slow, there are some steps users can take to make the wi-fi faster. This can include purchasing a new router, looking at mesh systems to help the wi-fi reach further, and a lot more. However, if the internet doesn’t seem to improve much with these methods, it may be time to think about upgrading to a faster internet connection. Fiber internet is much faster, so even wireless connections are going to have the fastest speeds possible.
If you feel like your internet speeds are too slow, take the time to check out your current plan, the speeds you’re actually getting, and the speeds you need. It might be time to upgrade to a new internet plan with faster speeds so you can do more online. Take a look at the options available today to find the right plan for you.
