With all of the talk about 1 Gbps internet, you might be looking at your 100 Mbps internet and feeling like it is slow. The fact of the matter is, it’s still very fast and is usually more than enough to handle everyday tasks that might require the internet. It might not be the fastest on the market, but it is still not slow. Especially compared to other countries that could only provide speeds going up to 20 Mbps. Regardless, as the demand for bandwidth and speeds is ever-increasing in home networks, you will need to make the most of your 100 Mbps connection. This is how.
Router
Let’s start by taking a look at your router. You should be using a 100 Mbps router that is capable of those speeds without issue. Ideally, you should get a router that is capable of speeds more than 100 Mbps, so that you know that it is using all of your speeds available. Anything less would just be wasting what you’re paying for.
You should also make sure that the router that you are using is modern and not using older systems. Modern routers use different standards to make them more efficient. The older the router, the slower it is going to be.
Put your Router in a Good Spot
Where you have your router will make a difference in your connectivity. It should not be resting against concrete, tile, granite, or brick. These materials will restrict the ability for your signal to flow, making it naturally slower. As much as possible, your router should be in an open, accessible spot.
Your router should be in a central location as well. Being in a central location in your home means that the signal can travel in all directions freely. Also, keep it away from a room where people congregate as bodies will also interfere with your signal, making it slower to reach other rooms.
Speed Test
If your internet seems like it is slow, there might be a question of whether you are getting the speeds that you are paying for. You can go to one of the speed testing websites and have them test your internet speeds to see what real speeds that you are getting.
In the event that the speeds are much slower than what you are paying for, there are a few things to look into to see why you are not getting the speeds that you should be.
Bandwidth
Some devices are bandwidth hogs. If you have more than one device streaming at the same time, these devices are often bandwidth hogs, as in one of them might be draining the bandwidth and preventing other devices from hopping on. Look through your router device history to see if you can identify which device is doing that.
If you have Quality of Service (QoS) with your router, you will be able to indicate the devices that should be getting the bandwidth over other devices. MU-MIMO is another router feature that is built to help manage more than one streaming device at the same time. It is important to have these things if you have more than one streaming device to ensure that you are able to get the most out of your internet.
Your Neighbours
If you live in a populated area, your neighbours might be what is causing your internet to slow down. To circumvent this, you should make sure that your router is a dual-band or a tri-band. The 2.4 GHz band travels the farthest and is the most crowded. Having more than one band can prevent traffic.
Call your ISP
If you have looked into draining devices or programs that might be slowing down your internet and are still finding that your internet is slow, it is time to contact your ISP. They should be able to send out a tech to see why your internet might not be as fast as it should be.
Of course there is some difference between real speed and hypothetical speed, but you should be getting what you are paying for. Do not let them brush you off and push until you are sure that you are getting the right speeds.
And if your ISP is not giving you the right information, or you’re still struggling with the speed, make sure to check better Internet service providers in the area and compare their deals and packages.
Internet speeds are getting faster by the day. Do not worry if you are wondering if better speeds will ever be an option for you. With the introduction of other types of internet, we are sure to be seeing faster speeds and options. Until then, make the most of your 100 Mbps.
