Things you should consider before running your speed test:
Your Internet should support the following:
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People rely on the Internet for unlimited entertainment, knowledge and staying connected. Today, families are using the Internet more than ever and need to be able to depend on their Internet service. If you feel that your Internet is running slower than usual, you should perform a Fidelity Communications speed test. Several factors can make your Fidelity Internet perform at a slower rate. By performing a speed test, you will be able to quickly identify the problem.
Internet speed is measured in megabits of data per second (Mbps). Basically, this tells you how quickly a provider can deliver data to and from your computer. There are several factors that determine an appropriate Internet speed for your household. For example, the more devices that are used, the higher the Mbps speed needs to be.
When you listen to music, stream videos or download images from the Internet, you are downloading data. Downloading speeds refers to how fast you can download the data from the server to your computer or smart device. On average, your home Internet will need a speed of at least 25 Mbps to an adequate download speed. Anytime you send a video or photo from your computer to another device or Internet server, you are uploading data. How fast the image or video is sent from your computer to the server is the uploading speed. Generally, the uploading speed needed is considerably less than the downloading speed. On average, most households have an upload speed of 3 Mbps. However, families that upload videos on YouTube, or other streaming services regularly may need higher uploading speeds.
When it comes to Internet speed, you have probably heard the word "bandwidth" thrown around frequently. Bandwidth refers to how fast data can be transferred from your computer to an Internet server. Imagine you are walking down a hallway with a group of people. The bigger the hallway is, the more people can travel up and down it at one time. Bandwidth works off the same theory. If there are several members of your household accessing the Internet on different devices at the same time, it can cause your Internet speed to slow down. The more devices you use at one time, the bigger your bandwidth needs to be.
Testing your Internet's speed has many benefits. If your Internet is running slower than usual, testing it can help you to identify the problem and the solution. Also, knowing your Internet speed can help save you money. If you are paying extra for speeds that you are unable to use or do not need, then you are essentially wasting money.
During an Internet speed test, the test site will download files from a server to your computer, and upload data from your computer to a server as well. During the uploading and downloading process, the testing program will measure the download and upload speeds. The test site will also check other data points including: ● Transfer rates – Determines how quickly data is transferred between devices. ● Bits – Unit of measurement when measuring digital data. There are 1 billion bits in a gigabit and 1 million bits in a megabit. ● Bandwidth – a network's total capacity. ● Mbps – Megabits per second. ● Gbps – Gigabits per second. ● Kbps – Kilobits per second. ● Ping rate – Refers to the rate at which a signal is sent from a device to a server, and back to the same device. ● Throughput – Measures the amount of data that passes from one point to another.
Determining how much Internet speed you need will depend on how many people are using the Internet at one time, and what the Internet is being used for. For instance, if there are five or six people in your home who regularly stream movies from Netflix, download large files and play online games, then they may need anywhere from 100 Mbps to 300 Mbps. However, if you live alone or with one other person, and only use the Internet to check emails, surf the web and go on social media, then an Internet speed of 25 Mbps will probably suffice.
If you have performed the Internet speed test and can't figure out why your Internet is still running slower than usual, there are a few things that you can try to get your Internet back up to a proper speed.
Make sure that your Internet router is in a central area that can adequately reach all devices. Devices will pick up a poor WiFi signal if your router is tucked away in a closet or a remote corner of our home.
When you surf the web, many websites use cookies and other tracking devices to gather information about you to determine which advertisement may be relevant to you in the future. Over time, the cookies can accumulate quite a bit of data that can slow your Internet speed down. To clear the cache, go to the settings menu in your web browser and select "clear cache."
WiFi is a very convenient option for households who are looking for an easy way to use multiple devices at once. However, WiFi is not always the fastest solution. If you are planning on watching data-heavy movies and videos on your TV or computer, then you may want to consider using an Ethernet cable in your device instead of connecting to WiFi.
Fidelity Communications Internet provides a variety of features that you can tailor to your needs. Learn more about your options on the Fidelity Communications page.
With Fidelity internet service, you don't have to worry about going over any data caps, giving you the freedom to easily stay connected.
With an average of 125 Mbps speeds in most areas, Fidelity internet allows you to surf and stream all you want at home.
The FidelityHOME Wifi App makes it easy to manage your wireless network, including blocking Internet access and setting parental controls, from anywhere.