What Internet Speed Is Right For Me?!
- Andrew
- Jul 17, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 31, 2023
I'm sure you have sat down to watch a movie on one of the many streaming platforms one night & pressed play. You get a few minutes in and you're invested then BAM! - you're hit with buffering circle.
We all have experienced it at some point & it is extremely frustrating to be watching for a few minutes then wait for a few. Watch... then wait again.
Do you remember what internet speed you even got when you set up your account? Do you know what you are currently getting? Speedtest.net has a tool for you to check what you are getting at any given time. You can also use one of the ones listed at the bottom of this page (provider specific to compare). You will want to note your Download Speed, Upload Speed, and Ping. Go ahead and run one now to see.
Almost all of the big Providers are offering tiered speeds ranging from 300mbps-1+gbps. The number of devices used in your home is going to be the single biggest factor in determining the speed you will want to get. Why? Because of bandwidth. This is a bigger factor on the coax side where everyone in your neighbor hood is sharing bandwidth. 6-7pm when everyone is winding down to watch TV or turning on the game you'll notice a drastic difference in your internet speed. Run a speed test (links at bottom) next time you notice your internet bog down around these times. Run a speed test at different times of the day to see how it fluctuates.
Certain devices will require a minimum amount of bandwidth to even get up and running. The more devices - the more bandwidth required. You should take these examples with a grain of salt. It seems every device is now using more and more bandwidth and this list is very generic and to be honest, on the lower side.
Coax vs. FIber
Now, there are coax speeds and fiber speeds. The difference that should be noted. Coax is brought to your home via copper wires and distance can become a factor on your speed and quality of service - Copper is much more common on the residential side, but in some areas, some Providers offer Fiber servicers to customers if you are one of the lucky ones.
Fiber optic cables transmit data using light signals, allowing for much higher speeds and larger bandwidth capacities compared to traditional copper cables. Fiber internet can provide symmetrical upload and download speeds, meaning you can upload data as quickly as you can download it. For example: 500mbps down/500mpbs up
If you work from home, are a gamer, have kids at home who are always streaming.. I would take full advantage of a fiber connection if you have the option.
How do you know what you need when you're calling in? What is Megabits per second? Gigabits per second?
Sounds a little foreign, doesn't it?
Let's break it down:
Although internet speed is generally measured in bits per second, you might also hear/see terms like “megabytes” and “gigabytes.” Bits and bytes are both units of data, but they’re used in different circumstances.
1 bit = This is a single unit of data that is either a “1” or a “0”
1 byte = 8 bits
When you get a package from a company like Spectrum, Optimum, or Earthlink (to name a few) you are getting X megabits per second on your download speed and X on your upload speed. The higher your download/upload speed, the higher your allotted download speed & bandwidth at that location. If you have 4 people in the house all trying to watch/stream, play video games, or use the Wi-Fi - all at the same time then you are all simultaneously using up your bandwidth. This is more of an issue with coax connections.
Both Coax and Fiber connections are measured in Mbps/Gbps. However, with a coax connection you are not going to always get the download speed you are paying for. This is dependent on how far away you are from the "tap". Those little green hubs/pedestals you see your neighborhood.
With a coax connection you will share your total bandwidth your neighbors connected to this tap. Hence why you notice times when your internet feels sluggish.
For example: you purchase a monthly coax package for 500mbps. This package is not guaranteed to give you 500mbps, but UP TO 500 Mbps. Think of it like a governor on a rental car or U-Haul truck. It only lets you get to that speed if you can - but never over. However, most of the time you will be under that regulated speed. Give it a shot with your current internet speed.
Another thing to note is when you initially set up service is that, in most cases, you are getting a new customer promotion (typically 12-24 months). You want to get the most bang for your buck. A lot of these companies have now gone to "no contract", "no agreement", and offer a "30-day money back guarantee". Which means you are able to upgrade/downgrade your service at any time if you feel you are paying too much or need more. I would note that there is no fee for downgrading your service and in most Providers will prorate the difference back to you. You will almost always pay more for upgrading a service and adding on to an existing package down the road.
A key factor in getting you set up in the right package is understanding what you will be connecting to the internet. Doorbell cameras, cell phones, smart thermostats, and laptops are often overlooked - but they are always connected and always using up some bandwidth, Is there a gamer in the house? They almost always hog the most bandwidth and need a fast connection to play.
Our main goal at Cable Concierge is to get you exactly what you need by asking the important discovery questions upfront when you call in to get service. If you are in a Fiber available area - we will let you know!
Call us today to get the inside scoop on your home!
(737)787-1933
Speed test links as promised above:
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