The Basics of Internet Speed and How it Affects your Work Flow
The new Work From Home trend has shown us many ugly sides of our culture. One of them being inaccessibility to decent internet speeds. This comes from a number of factors, including lack of access to knowledge about the internet, cable companies taking advantage of desperate customers who are unsure of what plan to go with, and not knowing some simple tips and tricks for improving the quality of your internet. This blog contains some information that could help you up your internet game!
Ethernet over WiFi: Ethernet cables are designed to take a network signal from a router/modem and plug it directly into a laptop or computer. This signal is much more secure, and faster. Usually, you need to be closer to your router/modem in order to get the most out of your internet speed, but an ethernet cable removes this issue entirely. With an ethernet cable, your direct connection can make your internet much faster, more secure, and prevent drop outs from happening as frequently.
ISP’s will limit your Download/Upload Speed: Your Internet Service Provider will usually have prices set on how much they allow for your Download/Upload Speed. If you notice your connection is slow, you can always do a test on https://www.speedtest.net/ to find out what your limits are for speed. Contacting your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can be beneficial to learning what deals are out there for increasing your internet speed.
Know the Different Types of Internet: With the internet, from slowest to fastest, there is Dial Up, Satellite, DSL, Cable, and Fiber. Each one of these types of internet has their own unique features that can affect their speed. When searching for different ISP, it’s also important to note what type of services they can provide. Fiber Optics is extremely fast, but currently has limited availability due to it being a newer technology. DSL is usually cheaper than Cable or Fiber, but it can’t offer the same speeds. It’s best to think about what exactly you’re trying to do wit internet before deciding on a package.
Understanding the Requirements of What You’re Streaming: How many people in your household use the WiFi? What is everyone trying to Stream? Are you trying to Stream 4k video or use a new HD Webcam for video conferencing? Your WiFi can only handle so much at one time, as things such as video conferencing, streaming a movie, and live streaming a video game or podcast all take up bandwidth.
Before deciding on how you can upgrade your internet, first think about what you are using it for. In a world of advanced technology that is improved every year, knowing your options and how you can improve your own household tech is half the battle!
