In today’s digital world, a fast and reliable internet service is crucial to staying connected. Whether you are a casual or a power user, the internet service plays a critical role in your online experience.
But what exactly is internet speed, why does it matter, what is your online activity, what reasons for its fluctuation, and when to upgrade? Let’s discuss them all in this blog post:
What Is Internet Speed And Why Does It Matter?
The amount of data and information transferred from your device to the internet on a single connection at any given time is referred to as the internet speed. Users need to know their internet speed because it tells them what kinds of online activities they can do at one time and how many smart devices they can connect at once. At the point when you really comprehend the internet speed you and your relatives use, you will actually want to decide the internet speed you really want for your online activities.
For example, assuming your internet service perpetually supports video streaming, making video calls or essentially browsing the web, then you really want to upgrade your internet connection. On the other hand, you might be overpaying for your internet service if the speed of your connection exceeds a gigabit. The key is to track down a perfect balance between the two to find the best internet connection that upholds all your internet-based activities flawlessly and doesn’t empty your wallet simultaneously. There are a lot of internet service providers that make the claim that their connections are lightning-fast and affordable. But after conducting a thorough research, you may find there are data caps limitations and hidden charges involved that would make their internet service expensive.
Understanding Internet Speeds By Activity
It’s a no-brainer that all your online activities depend on your internet speed. Remember that these speeds should be sufficient to support all your home smart devices. If it cannot provide enough speed, then you need to upgrade your internet plan.
For instance, video streamers need at least 10 Mbps of internet speed. For 4K video streamers, they would need at least 25 Mbps to have top entertainment. For online gamers, an ideal speed of 10 to 25 Mbps is required for seamless gaming experience. And remote workers, a mere 5 Mbps internet service for simpler computer programs. However, if those remote workers need to transfer large volumes of files back and forth and conduct video conferences buffer-free, they would need at least 25 Mbps internet speed.
Before upgrading your wireless or fiber internet plan, you need to ensure that you are getting the optimum Wi-FI signals. Ensure to place your router to a central location without any obstacles such as floors, walls or furniture. Furthermore, you can opt for a Wi-Fi extender to fix dead zones and extend your Wi-Fi signals.
Top Reasons Of Internet Speed Fluctuations
Now, even if you subscribed to a high-speed internet service, you may find yourself with a slower internet connection. This is normal because of the following reasons:
Router location
The placement of the router is utterly crucial which can either make or break your internet speed. You should avoid placing your router on the floor as other signals might travel and can disrupt and weaken the internet signals. Ensure to place your router at a higher and unobstructed location, such as walls, radios, and microwaves.
Malware
Malware is intrusive software that is designed by cybercriminals to disrupt a computer’s hardware, software, and/or applications. One type of malware that disrupts web applications is web browsers. What it does is slow down the internet speed of the application by consuming a substantial amount of your computer’s memory. For instance, it can open multiple browsers in the background, which can lead to sluggish internet performance.
Throttling
It’s usual for your internet service providers to throttle your internet speeds, especially when you have exceeded the internet data caps. Some are even blamed for throttling speed when opening certain websites or engaging in online activities.
In the first case, you may need to conduct a speed test outside of the peak internet hours, then install a VPN and rerun the test. If the speeds are similar, then there is no throttling involved. On the other hand, they differ, which is a sign of throttling. In the second case, where the ISP restricts you from opening certain websites, then it’s time to upgrade your plan for a better internet service.
Why is my internet slow at night?
This is probably because most people use their home internet during the evening time, especially 7 to 11 pm. This can significantly slow down the internet speed, especially for cable internet users. There is not much of an option to overcome this really other than minimizing your smart devices that connect to the internet. And you probably want to upgrade your internet plan.
Your own internet activity
In addition to your neighbors, you can also affect your internet speeds. How? For starters, if you have multiple smart devices connected, streaming videos in 4K resolution, and downloading large files at the same time. All of this bandwidth-heavy online activities can negatively affect your internet speed.
One or two things you could experience with high-speed internet connection is by plugging an ethernet cable directly into your computer. You can also limit the number of smart devices that are connected at the same time to free up the bandwidth for you to conduct important tasks at hand.
How do I know if I need to upgrade my internet speeds?
Now, there are multitudes of reasons your Wi-Fi internet connection is slow or unreliable but it has nothing to do with your internet service plan. One of the most common mistakes users make is to upgrade their internet plan without ever determining whether it will solve the underlying problem of the consistent internet speeds. You might want to try out our suggestion on internet speed fluctuation, before upgrading your internet plan.
So, when’s the right time to think about upgrading your internet plan? Here are some of the signs you should look out for:
When you need to disconnect multiple smart devices from the Wi-Fi
It’s probably time to increase your internet plan if you have to unplug any of your smart devices in order to have a reasonable internet speed. Furthermore, it is evident that you need a better internet connection if your internet service isn’t offering the optimum performance when more smart devices are linked to Wi-Fi.
When you experience lag during bandwidth-heavy online activities
You should improve your internet plan if you are among those users who rely heavily on bandwidth-intensive online activities like streaming 4K videos, downloading large files, or playing online games and suffering latency. Conversely, if you occasionally suffer delays in your Wi-Fi connection, the issue is most likely related to your internet connection.
When your internet speed is consistently slow throughout the home
It is preferable to get a Wi-Fi extender to address any dead zones in your home when you are having trouble connecting to the internet. However, it’s time for an internet service update if your internet is sluggish across your home.
Final Thoughts
It’s essential to comprehend your internet speeds if you want to remain connected in this fast-paced world. Making the most of your internet service essentially depends on understanding internet speed and why it matters, the top reasons for internet service fluctuations, and whether to update your internet package. As technology develops further, we expect even better, quicker, and more trustworthy internet connection in the years to come. It is, therefore, crucial to stay up to date with your internet speeds regardless of how frequently you use it in order to make an informed decision regarding connectivity.