Internet speed refers to the amount of data and information that may be carried over the internet using a single connection at any given time. Consumers should understand internet speed since it dictates what types of activities are possible on the internet and how many devices may be connected at the same time.
Understanding how you and your family use the internet at home can allow you to identify the internet speeds you require from your provider. If your internet speed is too slow, you may have difficulty performing web-based chores such as streaming video, playing video games, or uploading files. If it’s too fast, you may be overpaying for internet service.
Several factors can influence your internet speed, and recognizing them is essential when selecting the best plan for your needs.
Certain internet connection types offer faster speeds than others. Fiber is typically regarded as the best connection available; nevertheless, both cable and fiber provide faster speeds than satellite and DSL. While some connection types may not be available to you, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each will help you choose the best one for your home network.
The number of individuals connected to your home network at the same time affects your internet speed. Like traffic on a freeway, more devices connecting to a single network at the same time might cause slower speeds, so try controlling your device connectivity to enhance internet speed.
You should also consider the devices you use, your location, and the types of internet activity you engage in. Gaming and streaming, for example, demand more bandwidth than surfing, and a rural area may have less access to certain sorts of connections.
What is a Good Internet Speed?
According to the Federal Communications Commission’s most recent plans, a good internet speed is one that allows you to download at least 100Mbps and upload at least 20Mbps. That is the new baseline that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel intends to establish for broadband internet providers, customers, and regulators.
A 100 Mbps internet connection allows four or five Wi-Fi users to play online games, stream HD video, and join Zoom meetings with no slowdowns or buffering. It’s ideal for most individuals, though some may choose a slower plan at a lower cost, and others require quicker speeds to manage heavier internet usage.
Of fact, various homes may have significantly varied internet requirements. Someone who lives alone and just uses the internet for minor tasks such as social networking and online surfing does not require as much internet speed as a family of five streaming Netflix in all rooms. However, a quicker connection is often preferable, especially if you spend a lot of time on the internet or share Wi-Fi with others (or both).
| Internet speed | Ideal number of users | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 Mbps | 1–2 minimal internet users | ● Send emails ● Search Google ● Stream in HD on a single device |
| 5–40 Mbps | 1–2 moderate internet users | ● Stream in HD on a few devices ●Play online games ● Run 1–2 smart devices |
| 40–100 Mbps | 1–2 heavy internet users, or 3–4 moderate internet users | ● Stream in 4K on 2–4 devices ● Play online games with multiple players ● Download big files quickly (500 MB to 2 GB) ● Run 3–5 smart devices |
| 100–500 Mbps | 3–4 moderate to heavy internet users | ● Stream in 4K on 5+ devices ● Download very big files very quickly (2–30 GB) ● Run 5+ smart devices |
| 500–1,000+ Mbps | 5 or more heavy internet users | ● Stream in 4K on 10+ devices ● Download and upload gigabyte-plus–sized files at top speed ● Run 10 or more smart-home devices in your abode ● Do basically anything on multiple devices with no slowdowns |
To function properly, your internet connection must have a minimum speed of 25Mbps. That is the FCC’s current minimum download speed standard, however the commission is working to increase it to 100Mbps.
In general, you need internet that is fast enough to handle all of the things you do on a regular basis while using Wi-Fi. You’ll also need adequate internet speed to support the other users on your wireless network. The perfect speed varies based on the size of your household and what you do online, but anywhere between 25Mbps and 100Mbps should be regarded a minimum for you to utilize the internet smoothly.
Read Also: 5 Benefits of Using a Tri-Band Mesh Wi-fi System
Your internet speed is determined by how long your connection can download and upload data (bits). This speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps); one Mbps equals 1,000,000 bits transferred per second, while one Gbps equals 1,000,000,000 bits sent per second. The higher the Mbps or Gbps, the faster the internet connection. Remember that the speed you choose will be determined by your individual internet needs.
It is more typical to see internet speeds defined in megabits per second (Mbps) because many people do not require the extreme speeds of gigabit internet, but this is an excellent option for busy, smart families with gamers and remote workers.
What are the Types of Internet?
There are various types of internet connections, and the type of connection you have greatly influences the speeds you may achieve. Although fiber and cable are the fastest and most popular types of internet connections, many customers have recently adopted 5G home internet due to its inexpensive cost.
In rural places, satellite and fixed wireless internet are popular choices. They are slower and more expensive, but provide Wi-Fi in locations with insufficient networking infrastructure.
| Internet type | Max download speed | Price | Availability* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 6,000 Mbps (6 Gbps) | $29.99–$299.95/mo. | 29.2% | |
| Cable | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) | $19.99–$109.99/mo. | 88.5% | |
| DSL | 100 Mbps | $39.99–$55.00/mo. | 84.4% | |
| 5G | 1,000 Mbps | $25.00–$144.99/mo. | N/A | |
| 4G LTE | Typically 100 Mbps | $25.00–$149.95/mo. | N/A | |
| Fixed wireless | 50 Mbps | $25.00–$144.99/mo. | 38.8% | |
| Satellite | 100 Mbps | $30.00–$500.00/mo. | 99.9% |
Fiber internet is the fastest internet you can get. It uses bundled fiber-optic strands wrapped in a reflective case to transmit large amounts of data with light signals. Most fiber internet plans give you 1,000 Mbps speeds, although some providers can get you speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps or even 6,000 Mbps. Fiber is also the only type of internet that gives you symmetrical upload speeds—so your uploads will be just as fast as your downloads.
Cable internet uses the same coaxial copper cables that transmit cable TV services. It can reach gigabit speeds and is more widely available than fiber, making it an excellent option for most customers looking to have high-speed internet in their homes. Cable internet plans often include bundle deals that let you pair Wi-Fi with a TV package.
DSL, short for digital subscriber line, uses the same wiring as landline telephone networks. It’s relatively slow (maxing out at 100 Mbps) and is becoming somewhat obsolete, since most DSL providers also offer fiber and have focused more on expanding their fiber services in recent years.
5G home internet is a relatively new internet type that provides internet over a fixed wireless connection. This type’s speeds range from 30–1,000 Mbps. 5G networks are still in the process of coming together, so 5G home internet isn’t widely available yet. The technology works best in densely populated areas, so 5G is mostly available in towns and cities—for now at least.
4G LTE home internet uses similar technology as 5G internet, but over 4G networks. It delivers slower speeds, usually dependent on what kind of cell service is available in the area. But it’s a great option for rural users whose other options might be limited to satellite internet.
Fixed wireless is a wireless, cellular–based type of internet connection. Most fixed wireless plans give you max speeds of 25–50 Mbps, making it a solid fallback option if you can’t find something faster or cheaper.
Satellite internet is available almost anywhere in the United States, but it’s the slowest kind of internet you can get. Most satellite customers live in rural areas where you can’t get any other type of internet connection.
How Can I Increase WiFi Speed?
1. Place your router in an open spot
Because Wi-Fi is just wireless, its connection speed is influenced by distance, obstructions (such as walls, floors, and ceilings), electrical interference, and the number of users on the network. All of these factors contribute to the slowing of Wi-Fi connection speeds.
For the best signal, place the wireless router outside on the main level of your home, away from walls and impediments. Ideally, place it off the floor, above the furniture. Keep it away from other electronic devices that could create interference, such as microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones. You might also try pointing the antennas perpendicularly, with one horizontal and one vertical.
Want to know where your home’s wireless dead spots are? To test for them, download a mobile app such as CloudCheck*. It can also assist you in determining where the signal strength is strongest, allowing you to choose the optimal location for your router. Consider it WiFi feng shui for your wifi router.
2. Use current Wi-Fi technologies
Technology advances quickly, and one of the most effective methods to speed up your wireless network is to use cutting-edge technology. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is the most significant advancement in wireless technology in over a decade, allowing for faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity in PCs, mobile phones, and home routers and gateways. Most mobile and IoT devices continue to use older, lower-performance technologies such as Wireless-N (802.11n) and Wireless-AC (802.11ac), whilst other technologies are virtually outdated.
Newer Wireless-AC routers feature data transmission speeds up to three times quicker than previous Wireless-B/G/N versions, and also include “dual-band” functionality, which allows you to free up channels for older wireless devices to use.
New Wi-Fi 6 routers feature data transfer speeds that are nearly three times faster than traditional Wi-Fi 5 solutions, and they have “dual-band” functionality, allowing older wireless devices to access more channels.
And, of course, you’ll want to select the latest Wi-Fi with WPA and secure your Wi-Fi network with a password so your neighbors can’t stream their movies on your wireless connection.
3. Limit devices and optimize settings
Playing online games, conducting video chats, and streaming movies and videos all consume a lot of bandwidth, which can slow down Internet speed and access for everyone connected to that WiFi network. Some routers provide a Quality of Service (QoS) setting that allows you to specify which apps have priority access to Internet bandwidth. For example, if you have a lot of meetings, you might want to prioritize video conversations over file downloads from the cloud. You may always grab your files later, but you don’t want to miss an essential call from a client or family member.
You should also ensure that your wireless router’s firmware and drivers are up to date. While many contemporary routers have built-in update capabilities, you may need to open your router’s settings to manually initiate an update or visit the manufacturer’s website for bug fixes.
You can also adjust the channel selection on your router. Many wireless routers are configured by default to use channel 6. This implies that your neighbors’ routers may also be running on channel 6, generating congestion due to the amount of devices connected to it. Using a program like Wi-Fi Analyzer* or Wi-Fi Scanner* can help you locate router channels with greater capacity, resulting in faster Internet speeds.
If your router is reasonably new, it should be capable of switching between two radio frequencies: 2.4 GHz (the older standard) and 5 GHz (the current standard). Smart wireless routers can determine the optimal frequency for you and your surroundings. Each frequency includes several channels, with 14 at 2.4 GHz and 30 at 5 GHz. So, if your router has the capacity to automatically switch between frequencies, it can select between 44 channels. Check your wifi router settings to determine if it automatically switches between channels and frequencies for the best results.
Looking for even more ways to try to increase your Wi-Fi speed and extend the Internet connection range?
1. Use a wireless range extender. While this may not speed up the connection, it can boost the signal into the dead spots of your house or office. For example, if your router is on the first floor of your house, you may want to add a wireless range extender on another floor to boost the signal. It can be a big help in areas with thick walls or other physical structures that can impede a wireless signal.
2. Add access points. Think of access points as creating a wireless mesh around your house. They transmit Internet signals to each other to create a wireless network. They are created for large spaces with multiple floors.
3. Speed up the data stream. That invisible wireless connection can have a huge impact on our daily lives—determining how much we get done or how much we can kick back and relax. No one wants dropped video calls, choppy video streaming, or slow file downloads. With a little know-how, the appropriate router and some persistence, you can tweak your wireless router’s settings to increase your channel width with options of 20, 40, 80, and even 160 MHz to improve Wi-Fi connection speed and extend range.
4. Update routers, gateways, and devices to the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard. Experience Gigabit speeds and improved responsiveness with PCs and routers featuring best-in-class Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) technology.
