There can be moments when your internet connection is not performing up to the mark. In such instances, running an internet speed test on your device is a good idea.
Checking the internet speed test will help you understand if the bad internet speed is just momentary or something that requires further investigation. This could eventually lead you towards a new internet plan or a different internet service provider altogether.
What is an Internet Speed Test?
An internet speed test is designed to find out the maximum speed you can get over your existing internet connection. It’s important to note that simply conducting a network speed test will not give you the exact or accurate details.
The results can vary each time due to factors such as the time of the day and your current location.
Regardless, the key takeaway is that broadband speed tests provide a pretty good estimate of how fast your internet connection currently is.
In an ideal scenario, your wifi speed test should match what your broadband service provider has promised you. A large deviation from the advertised speed on your current wifi plan should prompt you to ask questions.
Key Factors to Consider in a Wi-Fi Internet Speed Test
Before you start thinking about your wifi speed, here are certain key aspects of a wifi speed test that you need to look at:
- Download Speed: This measures how fast your internet can pull out information from the server, measured in Mbps.
- Upload Speed: This measures how fast your internet connection can upload data to the server, also measured in Mbps.
- Ping (Latency): This denotes how easy it is for two different connections to set up a seamless connection. As ping or latency comes down, it paves the way for a better network or wifi speed.
- Network Jitter: This is mainly caused by a variation in latency, resulting from factors like congestion in the internet network, no packet prioritization, or poor hardware performance.
How Does an Online Internet Speed Test Work?
Online speed tests determine your location and find the closest server to you. The test then sends a ping to the server and measures the response time.
The download test begins by setting up more connections and downloading a larger data packet to see how your internet connection performs under stress.
The test then determines the download and upload speeds, providing you with the overall results of your internet speed.
Why Should You Check Internet Speed?
There are plenty of reasons to check your internet speed regularly. An internet speed test will help you determine how fast or reliable your connection is and whether your internet service provider is living up to the promised high-speed internet.
What is the Highest Internet Speed You Can Have?
The highest internet speed available to you depends on your internet service provider and the plan you choose. Options include satellite internet, cable ISPs, DSL ISPs, and fiber optic internet, with fiber optic currently offering the fastest speeds up to 1 Gbps.
How Much Network Speed Do You Require?
In ideal cases, 30-40 Mbps of internet speed is more than enough for activities like work calls, video calls, streaming, and social media. However, for larger families with multiple devices, an internet connection of 100 Mbps or more would be better.
What is a Good Network Speed Test Score?
A good network speed test score depends on your broadband plan, but a minimum of 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed is generally considered a good baseline for a seamless internet experience.
How to Improve Your Broadband Internet Speed?
If your broadband speed test shows unsatisfactory results, here are some ways to boost your internet speed:
- Get a dual-band router to provide greater internet speeds to your devices.
- Upgrade to a more expensive plan.
- Ensure your wifi router is placed in an ideal location to avoid signal blockage.
- Consider switching to a reliable internet service provider like Airtel or Safaricom Broadband.
Conducting regular internet speed tests on your devices will be a thing of the past once you get a new wifi connection.
