How Fast is Your Internet…Really?
A slow internet connection is the worst! Especially during the holidays when you’re expecting friends, family and new tech toys–all wanting to connect to your network. But if your internet isn’t bringing you peace, joy and happiness, you might want to compare your plan vs. actual speed.
PLAN: Which internet plan are you currently subscribed to? If you don’t know, retrieve your billing statement or sign in to your online account. Look under your internet service to find your speed.
SPEED: Run this speed test. (Requires Java.)
Results may be affected by many real-world factors, including the number of devices connected, background downloads, computer speed, server load, etc.
If your result is close to your plan but you’re not having a good experience, you probably need to subscribe to a faster speed. If the result is much slower than your plan, read on to learn about a number of factors that affect internet performance.
#1) How many devices are using your bandwidth and possibly bogging down your internet? Count anything that connects to your WiFi network, and don’t forget about your kids’ and guests’ devices!
- Smart TVs and Streaming Media Players (Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, etc.)
- Home Assistants (Amazon Echo, Google Home, Nest, etc.)
- Smart Appliances (lights, thermostats, doorbells, cameras, etc.)
- Gaming Consoles (Playstation, Xbox, etc.)
- Computers (work and personal) and wireless printers/scanners
- Tablets and eReaders (Apple iPad, Kindle, etc.)
- Smartphones
Remember, even if you aren’t actively using a device, even one as small as a smart watch, it is still continuously running in the background (backing up to the cloud, syncing with your phone app, etc.).
Note: If you have the Arvig Manage Your WiFi app, go to My Network and view the Network Map to quickly see what is actively using bandwidth.
#2) How much bandwidth is required for the devices above to perform their functions? Bear in mind that devices streaming high-quality movies and games will use a lot more bandwidth when in use for those purposes. Also, many devices never shut off, so they’re always using bandwidth, even if it’s only a little. So, how much speed do they need? According to Tom’s Guide:
*Netflix says you need 25Mb to stream 4K Ultra HD content.
#3) Of your devices, which ones are older vs. newer?
New devices are built to work with yesterday’s technologies. But there is no crystal ball, so new devices cannot be built in anticipation of what tomorrow’s capabilities will be.
And while older devices may still be functioning, they simply can’t keep up with the faster speeds and technologies available today. Plus, they fall farther and farther behind with each passing year. This includes your modem and router as well.
Ultimately, keeping your internet running smoothly is a delicate balancing act between your plan, the number of devices using it, how they’re using it, their age and other factors.
If your service isn’t performing to your expectations, keep your cool and reach out to Arvig. Together, we can figure it out.
