Understanding your internet service can be confusing. Between technical terms and competing technologies, it is hard to know what you really need. As local technology and internet experts, we have answered some of the most common questions to help you become a more informed consumer.
- What do Mbps and Gbps actually mean? Mbps stands for “megabits per second” and Gbps stands for “gigabits per second.” These are units of measurement for internet speed, indicating how much data can be transferred every second. Since one Gigabit is 1,000 Megabits, a 1 Gbps connection is ten times faster than a 100 Mbps connection.
- What is the difference between download and upload speed? Download speed is how fast your connection can pull data from the internet to your device. This is important for streaming video, loading websites, and downloading files. Upload speed is how fast you can send data from your device to the internet. This matters for video calls, online gaming, and uploading large files like photos or documents.
- How much speed do I really need? This depends entirely on your household’s usage. For basic web Browse and email, 25-50 Mbps might be enough. For a family that streams 4K video, plays online games, and has multiple people working or learning from home, a connection of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps would provide a much smoother, buffer free experience.
- What is Fiber internet? Fiber optic internet uses thin strands of glass to transmit data as pulses of light, making it the fastest and most reliable type of internet connection available today. It offers symmetrical speeds, meaning your upload speed is just as fast as your download speed, which is a significant advantage for modern internet use.
- I see ads for 5G Home Internet. Is that the same as having 5 Gbps speed? This is a very common point of confusion. The “5G” in 5G Home Internet refers to the “5th Generation” of wireless technology, not a speed of 5 Gbps. While 5G is a major improvement over previous wireless technologies like 4G LTE, its speed and reliability can be affected by distance from the tower, physical obstructions like walls and trees, and network congestion. A 1 Gbps fiber connection will deliver significantly faster and more consistent performance than a typical 5G home internet plan.
- What is Fixed Wireless or Over the Air (OTA) internet? In many rural areas where laying fiber cables to every home is not feasible, Fixed Wireless is an excellent high speed solution. A signal is broadcast from a local tower to a small receiver installed at your home. Today’s advanced Fixed Wireless technology can deliver very fast and reliable connections, often far exceeding what is possible with satellite or older DSL technology.
- Is Fiber always better than Fixed Wireless? Fiber is generally considered the gold standard due to its incredible speed and stability. However, modern Fixed Wireless is a powerful and dependable alternative that brings high speed internet to areas that would otherwise be underserved. A quality Fixed Wireless connection from a local provider is vastly superior to older, slower options.
- Why does my internet slow down at certain times of the day? This is often due to network congestion. On some types of networks, like cable or certain wireless technologies, you are sharing bandwidth with your neighbors. When everyone gets home from work and starts streaming or gaming, the shared connection can slow down. Dedicated connections, like fiber, are not typically affected by this neighborhood congestion.
- What is latency or “ping”? Latency, often measured as “ping,” is the delay it takes for data to make a round trip from your device to a server and back. Low latency is critical for activities that happen in real time, like online gaming and video conferencing. Fiber and Fixed Wireless connections generally have much lower latency than satellite internet.
- How important is my Wi-Fi router? Extremely important. Your router is like the traffic cop for all the devices in your home. You can pay for a super fast internet plan, but if your router is old or underpowered, it will create a bottleneck and you will never experience the full speed you are paying for.
- What’s the difference between Wi-Fi and the internet? The “internet” is the service you purchase from a provider that comes into your home. “Wi-Fi” is the wireless network created by your router that distributes that internet connection to your devices. If your internet is out, your Wi-Fi will not work.
- Why should I consider a local internet provider? A local provider offers several distinct advantages. When you call for support, you are often speaking with a neighbor who understands the specific challenges of your area. Technicians are part of the community, leading to quicker response times and more personalized service. They have a vested interest in building a great reputation right here at home.
- What are data caps, and what does it mean when your internet is “throttled”? A data cap is a monthly limit on the total amount of data you can download and upload. Think of it like a mileage allowance on a car lease. Once you use up your data allowance for the month, your provider may charge you overage fees. This is common on satellite and many mobile data plans.
This is where throttling comes in. Throttling is the act of your provider intentionally slowing down your internet speed. Your fast connection might be reduced to a crawl, making streaming or even Browse difficult.
The two are often related. Instead of charging fees, a provider might severely throttle your speed for the rest of the month after you hit your data cap. More subtly, even some “unlimited” plans have a soft cap or a “deprioritization threshold.” Once you use a very high amount of data, your provider may throttle your speeds during times of network congestion to manage traffic. This is why an unlimited plan can sometimes feel slow near the end of your billing cycle. The best way to avoid both issues is to seek out a plan with truly unlimited data, a standard feature for most modern fiber and quality fixed wireless providers.
- Can weather affect my internet connection? It depends on the type. Fiber optic internet, being a physical cable underground, is immune to weather interference. Fixed Wireless can be affected by extreme weather events, but modern systems are built to be very resilient. Satellites are the most susceptible to interference from heavy rain, snow, or even dense cloud cover.
- How can I test my internet speed accurately? For the most accurate result, use a computer connected directly to your router with an Ethernet cable and run a speed test from a reputable website. Testing over Wi-Fi can give you a lower result due to signal interference or the limitations of your device.