It seems like everything is connected to the internet. Your phone, TV, and other electronics all use wi-fi. If your internet isn't fast enough to support everything, these devices will cause trouble.
So what is the internet speed? How much should you pay for a decent internet setup? There are tips on how to increase internet speeds without upgrading.
You can measure internet speed in two different ways.
Bandwidth measures how much data can travel through your network at once, and is typically measured in megabits per second. The more lanes you have, the more traffic you can handle.
Latency is how long it takes for data to pass from one point to another. When you click a button or ask for new information, websites and apps will respond in milliseconds. It's important when streaming movies or League of Legends where every click sends new data.
When shopping for internet plans, most consumers don't think about the amount of time it takes to get there, but it's still vital, according to the CEO of the cloud computing company Arium.
The best internet speeds allow you to transfer a lot of data at the same time.
Ask a hundred people what a good internet speed is and you will get a lot of answers. How much speed you need depends on how much you use the internet for and how many devices you have.
It takes less bandwidth to check your email than it does to download files or watch a video.
Every device that uses the same internet connection has the same bandwidth and latency. If you are using a cable connection, you are sharing the road with everyone who lives around you. The less room each device has on the internet highway, the more you have.
Most people in the United States have cable internet.
The speeds you should look for are based on how you use the internet.
Don't just think about what you do most of the time when looking at this chart. Think about what the most internet intensive thing you do and plan around that. Even if you only watch one movie per week, you don't want that movie to take hours to load.
The other people in your household are also included. Maybe you only use the internet to check the news, but is your son playing video games at the same time?
The Vice President of Product Management at NETGEAR reminds consumers to think about how many internet-connected devices they have. Even when not in use, game consoles, phones, computers, and streaming sticks can still use bandwidth. Are you planning on buying a new laptop or console in the future? You will need more bandwidth.
Dozens of internet service providers are competing to earn your money. There are some tips for navigating the marketplace.
Decide what type of internet you need first. There are four types of broadband: DSL, Cable, Satellite and Fiber.
Direct subscriber line is the cheapest of the four. It runs through your phone line. The quality gets worse if you are farther away from the data center. You can expect speeds of between 5 and 50 Mbps.
Most providers in the United States will offer a bundle of internet, TV and phone services. It is less affected by distance and gives speeds between 5 and 100 Mbps. Multi-year contracts can be an issue if you end up disliking the service. Slower speeds can be found in more crowded areas because you have to share bandwidth with people living around you.
The fastest of the four is Satellite. It requires you to have a satellite dish on your property. It is heavily affected by local weather conditions. If you live in an area where other internet options are not available, you can get connected.
Fiber is the fastest type of internet service. Most fiber connections will deliver between 300 and 1000 Mbps, and service almost never stops. It is available in less places than any other internet type, and even users in big cities might be out of range.
If it is available where you live and affordable, you want a fiber connection. It is more stable and less expensive than any other type of connection. Businesses should look into fiber.
A cable connection is the next best thing if you can't get fiber.
You can check out the internet providers in your area. If you find a plan that works for you, contact them and ask for more information.
The full details of the product are not always given by the ISPs. When shopping for an internet plan, be prepared to ask questions.
Harpalani says to find out what the maximum speeds of the service are.
If the company gives you an introductory offer, you need to check to see if your speeds will go down once that offer is over, and what it will eventually cost.
He stresses that companies rarely promise a delay. If you want to get better bandwidth, you need to figure out what sort of latency you should expect for each service tier.
Make sure you pay attention to the small fees, like the ones for renting or having someone install equipment. Fees for using too much data are included in some plans. Harpalani says to avoid getting stuck in a contract if you can.
When you sign up for a plan, make sure to run regular speed tests to make sure it runs as fast as you expect. If your internet is slower than what you pay for, it is time to complain to the internet service provider.
Harpalani says looking at your equipment is just as important as finding the right internet service provider.
No matter what type of internet you use, you need a modem. The internet signals are converted into a form that computers can understand.
If you have more than one device that you want to connect to, you will need a routers. The device broadcasts signals that allow devices to access the internet without a wired connection.
Make sure you have three things for the fastest internet speeds.
Renting from your internet service provider can mean slower speeds. If you ever want to upgrade what they have sent you, most internet service providers will require you to justify why you need an upgrade and give you the right to decline the request. Even if they send you new equipment, there is no guarantee that it is not pre-owned or refurbished.
There are a few upsides to renting. If you have issues with your modem, you can usually call the internet service provider. They are more willing to exchange equipment if it is malfunctioning.
It's convenient, but they tend to run slower than separate devices. The wired connections are faster than the wireless connections.
Those are the basics. If you have a big home, a small one with thick signal-killing walls, or just want the absolute fastest wi-fi speeds possible, invest in a mesh network.
A mesh network is a fully wireless network that allows you to spread a stable wi-fi signal throughout your home. It's an amazing way to stamp out dead zones because every mesh broadcasts just as strongly as any other.
The mesh networks are more expensive than regular routers. A mesh setup will cost at least $200 and a good routers will cost around $100.
Before buying, make sure to check out the specifications. If you want to know how much bandwidth you can support, you should buy equipment that can support more than you have.
You should make sure that your equipment can support the newest standard of wi-fi. The lowest-latency devices should be less expensive than non- compatible ones.
Internet technology is constantly evolving. The top of the line device could be obsolete tomorrow.
Harpalani estimated that consumers should upgrade their equipment at least once every three years.
The equipment you have is not the reason for this. You won't fall behind on new features if you upgrade. It is the best way to make sure you have the best internet speeds.
If you want to upgrade your internet, you should check out our guides to the best mesh and wi-fi networks.
Some people might not be able to afford internet equipment for more than three years. There are many ways to get faster speeds out of the equipment you already have.
One way to speed up your internet is to move your device to a better location. It should be centrally located, not in the corner of the house or against a wall. It should be at least four feet off the ground and away from other electronic devices.
The internet is always faster than the internet. Do it if you can connect your computer to the internet.
If you are using a buggy computer, your internet speeds will go down. Certain types of malicious software can cause your bandwidth to be disrupted.
Put less stress on your internet connection. You can reduce internet usage by using less apps at once, watching videos at a lower quality, and turning off devices when you aren't using them. Your most important data will travel quicker if you free up that bandwidth.
The previous version of this article was contributed by Devon Delfino.
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