All of us love and strive for fast internet. A faster connection means smoother streaming, faster downloads, and uninterrupted activities that range from checking your email to engaging with your favorite social media accounts.
Unfortunately, our internet connections rarely live up to the ideals we project onto them. We’re affected by slowdown, lag, and other issues that prevent us from enjoying our online communities the way we’d like. Even high-speed internet plans can sometimes present these issues.
So what are the biggest factors that influence internet speed? And how can you manipulate them to your advantage?
The Biggest Factors Affecting Internet Speed
These are some of the most significant factors influencing internet speed:
- Your plan and total bandwidth. First and foremost, we need to think about your service plan and total bandwidth. If you have a relatively restrictive maximum download speed, you’re probably going to experience stuttering if you try to stream a high-definition video. On the other hand, if you have a very powerful service plan, you’ll probably always have fast and consistent service. Keep in mind that both download speed and upload speed play a role in your online experience, since in most online interactions, you’ll be both sending and receiving data.
- Local congestion. Local congestion can be a major sore spot for internet enthusiasts. If you have multiple users and devices connected to the same network, it’s going to slow things down, especially if those users are all engaging in high-bandwidth activities. It’s another reason why it pays to upgrade your service package.
- Service congestion. There might be broader issues with congestion as well. If your service provider is currently experiencing peak loads, every individual connected to the service is going to suffer from slower speeds or interruptions. Outages can also cause similar problems, or even deprive you of a connection entirely.
- Connection type. There are many types of internet connections, including fiber, DSL, and even satellite. Each has different advantages and disadvantages, though some are faster and more reliable than others. You should also consider whether you’re connecting via ethernet cable or Wi-Fi; although the difference is minor, ethernet cable connections are slightly more reliable and faster in some respects.
- Router location. If you’re relying on a router to distribute internet throughout your home, you need to carefully consider the location of that router. If it’s stuck in an isolated corner of your basement, it’s probably not going to reach every corner of your household. If it’s obstructed by thick walls or other obstacles, your signal isn’t going to be as strong.
- Interference. Similarly, interference from other sources can compromise the speed and reliability of your internet connection. For example, if you have noise coming from other networks nearby, it may compromise your ability to tap into the full potential of your current service plan.
- Device limitations. Sometimes, speed problems stem from device limitations. You may have a fast, reliable internet connection, but if your device isn’t updated, or if it’s currently infected with malware, it may not be able to take advantage of it. Consider testing other devices on your network to see if the problem is isolated.
- Network configurations. Though not as applicable to residential internet setups, network configurations can influence your internet speed as well. Certain settings, while beneficial in terms of privacy, security, or network control, may restrict your internet speed potential. Conversely, you can tinker with some settings to make speeds faster and more reliable.
Tips for a More Consistent Experience
You can also follow these tips for a more consistent online experience:
- Upgrade your service plan. The easiest way to have a better online experience is to upgrade your current service plan. With greater download and upload speeds, and potentially a higher tier of service, you’ll likely have faster, less interrupted connectivity.
- Master the art of smooth Wi-Fi. Getting a smooth, consistent Wi-Fi signal can be tricky, especially if your home is large and filled with obstacles. Play around with different locations for your router to make sure all your devices get a sound connection.
- Keep your devices updated. Finally, keep your devices updated and scan for malware periodically. If you feel confident that all your devices are up to date and functioning properly, you can at least narrow the scope of potential issues when you notice lagging speeds or similar problems.
As you can see, there’s no single factor responsible for increasing or decreasing your internet speed. Speed, or your perception of it, is shaped by a number of factors, only some of which are under your control. Even so, if you’re willing to make a concentrated, proactive effort to increase and preserve your internet speed, you’ll likely have a better experience overall.
