Your internet speed can influence the type of online experience that you have (or lack). There are a variety of different factors that can affect your internet speed, some of which you may not have even considered! This is something that everyone should know when they are searching for an Internet Service Provider. To make it easier, we put together a quick list of things you need to know to choose the internet speed that is right for you. First, there’s a few key things you need to know to understand how your speed affects your experience. Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This is basically a measure of how many bits of information can move in 1 second from the internet to your computer (this is also commonly referred to as your download speed). Bandwidth also plays a role in your speed. It’s essentially the path on which your data travels. Think about it like this: bandwidth is a like a freeway that connects the internet to your computer. Each lane would have a certain speed, and cars would represent your data. In order to go faster, you need to be in a faster lane. Mpbs is like the number of lanes in the freeway that is your internet connection. If a friend sends you a file or a photo that’s 5Mb of data, and you have a 1 mbps download speed, then it will take you 5 seconds to download that picture. So then, how do you figure out how much speed you need? The simple answer is that it depends on what you want to be able to do online. Certain online products and services require certain amounts of bandwidth to be used as intended. But here’s what matters across the board:
- How many computers/devices are going to be simultaneously using your connection?
- How many people in your home or office will be using the connection?
- What activities will they be used for?
Generally speaking, as these increase, so does the amount of speed you need. Let’s say that you only use your connection casually, have maybe one computer and a smartphone, and you mostly use the internet to check your email, listen to music, do a little Facebook, and some Google searches. A 5 Mbps connection would probably suit you fine. Now, let’s say you have a household with multiple users and devices and watch a lot of videos, or share plenty of files, then a 10 Mpbs connection should do the trick (we’d know -- this is also our most popular option!). And even if you need even faster speeds for more intense activities, there’s a 15 Mbps option as well. We believe that our customers should be able to enjoy the internet in whatever way they want. In service of this, we provide plans tailored to their needs. All of which come with our guarantee of smooth connectivity, guaranteed bandwidth, and a knowledgeable customer service team. See our residential and commercial pricing options for more info!