GCI Speed Test Tips

Things you should consider before running your speed test:

  • Internet speed changes throughout the day. Test your speed multiple times for clear results.
  • Run the speed test in the same room and in clear sight of your router for the most accurate result.
  • Complete downloads on all connected devices prior to running the test.
Results

Ideal for 4-7 devices

You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.

Your Internet should support the following:

  • Suitable for 2-3 people
  • Moderate Internet usage
  • Stream HD videos

Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.

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Results

Ideal for 6-8 devices

You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.

Your Internet should support the following:

  • Suitable for 3-4 people
  • Moderate Internet browsing
  • Stream HD videos
  • Multiplayer gaming

Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.

Interested in a New Provider?
Even if you’re happy with your plan, SmartMove can help ensure you are getting the best Internet and TV service in your area. Enter your address to compare your options.

Explore More Options
Results

Ideal for up to 9 devices

You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.

Your Internet should support the following:

  • Suitable for 3-5 people
  • Manage large files
  • Stream 4k videos
  • Multiplayer gaming

Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.

Interested in a New Provider?
Even if you’re happy with your plan, SmartMove can help ensure you are getting the best Internet and TV service in your area. Enter your address to compare your options.

Explore More Options
Results

Ideal for 12+ devices

You’re up to speed! Your Internet connection is ideal for streaming.

Your Internet should support the following:

  • Suitable for 5+ people
  • Heavy Internet usage
  • Stream 4k videos
  • Multiplayer gaming

Save money by bundling your Internet and mobile services.

Interested in a New Provider?
Even if you’re happy with your plan, SmartMove can help ensure you are getting the best Internet and TV service in your area. Enter your address to compare your options.

Explore More Options

What you Internet connection speed means

Your Internet speed is a measure of how quickly data can be transferred between you and another location on the World Wide Web. That data can be anything: images on a webpage, words in an email, the video feed in a Zoom call, actions in an online game or even the next episode of your favorite series on Netflix. When you run a GCI speed test on a connected device in your home, you will see your speed broken down into four numbers. Each of these numbers measures a different aspect of your GCI Internet speed and network performance.

Ping

Ping times refer to how long it takes your device to receive a reply after sending a request online. Ping is measured in milliseconds, you can think of it as your connection's reaction time: the lower the ping time, the better. Ping times become especially important if you are gaming or doing anything else online that depends on timing and quick keystrokes.

Jitter

Jitter is related to ping times and refers to how much your connection's ping varies over time. The lower the jitter, the less likely you are to have buffering delays or other interruptions when you are streaming or gaming. Like ping times, jitter is measured in milliseconds.

Download speed

Download speed measures how long it takes to pull data from a server to your device. Most activity on the Internet, from browsing web pages to streaming videos, consists of downloading data, so this number is the most important one for most users. Download speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The higher the number, the faster you will be able to do things online.

Upload speed

Upload speed measures how long it takes to send data from your device to the Internet. This number becomes important for activities like sending files via email, uploading photos to a shared album or doing video calls. Like download speed, upload speed is also measured in megabits per second, though it tends to be much slower than download speeds. The higher the number, the less time you will have to wait when sending data online.

Device speeds explained

A GCI speed test measures your Internet's performance on the specific device that you're testing. This means you may receive different test results depending on whether you're on your phone, computer or tablet. Your network connection can vary throughout the day and even minute-to-minute, depending on the network's traffic and bandwidth. The best way to accurately compare different device speeds is to test them at the same time. To test your GCI Internet speed on your phone, make sure you're connected to WiFi instead of using cellular data. Devices have different maximum speeds and older devices are often slower. If you're using an older device, your specific device speed will be limited even if you have high-speed Internet. Device speeds will also vary depending on how close the device is to the router in your home.

What Internet speed do I need to enjoy online activities?

There are a few factors that determine how fast you will need your Internet to be: The number of people using the Internet in your home. The number of connected devices (e.g., phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers). What you do on the Internet. If you only use the Internet for browsing the web, checking your email and streaming music on one device, you will be fine with the lowest GCI Internet speed available. To be able to stream video in high definition, look for a plan with a speed of up to 100 Mbps. For gaming and sharing large files, opt for up to 300 Mbps. To receive maximum Internet use for 4 or more people who stream, game or otherwise live online, choose a plan with up to 940 Mbps speed. Learn which GCI Internet plans are available in your area. Still not sure which speed you need? For more guidance, read our recent article on Internet plans and device speeds.

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Determining what your download speed means

Up to
250
Mbps

Ideal for 4-7 devices

  • Suitable for 2-3 people
  • Moderate Internet usage
  • Stream HD videos
Up to
400
Mbps

Ideal for 6-8 devices

  • Suitable for 3-4 people
  • Moderate Internet browsing
  • Stream HD videos
  • Multiplayer gaming
Up to
800
Mbps

Ideal for up to 9 devices

  • Suitable for 3-5 people
  • Manage large files
  • Stream 4k videos
  • Multiplayer gaming
Up to
2000
Mbps

Ideal for 12+ devices

  • Suitable for 5+ people
  • Heavy Internet usage
  • Stream 4k videos
  • Multiplayer gaming

Common connectivity issues

If you're having an Internet connectivity issue, walk through these steps to isolate the problem: Is the problem limited to a specific webpage? If you're able to load other websites, the issue isn't on your end, it's on a particular website's server. If nothing is loading, check a different device. If pages will load on your laptop but not on your phone, try turning your phone's WiFi off and on again. If the Internet is slow across multiple devices, check that you're not eating up the bandwidth with other programs or processes. Identify what processes are currently running on your computer and quit any that you don't need. If the Internet isn't working on multiple devices, check that your modem and router are both working. You may want to unplug them both, wait a few minutes and then plug in the modem. Once the modem lights are on, plug in the router again.

Tips for improving your WiFi speed

If you have the right plan but still aren't receiving the GCI Internet speeds you want, try these adjustments: Move your router. Your router is what sends your WiFi signal from your modem to your various devices. It sends out radio waves in all directions, so if it's located in a corner of your house, you will lose a good portion of your Internet's strength to the outdoors. Put it in a central location as close as possible to your computer and other connected devices. Reset your router. If your Internet is slower than expected even when your device is right next to the router, try resetting it to factory settings. Change the channel on the router. As we mentioned, your router sends out radio waves and is set to a particular channel, just like any other radio device. If there are a lot of routers in your area (like in an apartment building) interference on one channel could slow down your Internet. Keep an eye on background processes. If you're downloading a large file, wait for it to finish before trying to stream a movie. If you keep a lot of tabs open, get in the habit of closing them periodically so they don't consume your bandwidth.

GCI Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is GCI internet speed?
GCI offers several high-speed cable internet plans, featuring download speeds starting at up to 100 Mbps. Higher-tier plans include speeds up to 200 Mbps, up to 400 Mbps, and up to 1,000 Mbps, or 1 Gbps.

You can test your GCI Internet speed with the GCI SpeedTest here.
What is the fastest internet speed for GCI?
GCI’s fastest speeds are available through their 1 Gig red Unlimited plan, which features download speeds up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps), and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps.
Does GCI Internet have data caps?
While GCI does not charge overages, it does reduce speeds after a certain data limit on some packages.  The 1 Gig Red Unlimited does not have any speed reductions or data caps.
How can I improve my GCI internet speed?
Many users find they receive the fastest, most reliable speeds when connected directly to the internet through an Ethernet cable. For an improved WiFi connection, we recommend rebooting your modem and router, and placing your router in an open location in your home where the signal can travel more freely. You may also find internet speed improvement by minimizing the number of devices utilizing the WiFi at any given time. Turning off devices that aren’t currently in use can help to free up additional bandwidth for active tasks.
Does GCI have unlimited Internet?
GCI offers a 1 Gig red Unlimited plan with no data caps. Most GCI Internet plans have reduced speeds at a certain data usage level. These range from reduced speeds at 150 GB to 600 GB. If you would prefer to enjoy your Internet at its full speed capabilities, but have hit your monthly allowance, you can buy an optional additional usage bucket.
 
Where is GCI Internet available?
GCI is a popular Internet provider in Alaska. To see if GCI Internet is available where you live, enter your address at SmartMove.us or GCI.com.
 
How do I reset my GCI Internet?
For step-by-step directions, please visit this GCI support page to reset your Wi-Fi settings.
 

Learn About GCI Internet

GCI Internet provides a variety of features that you can tailor to your needs. Learn more about your options on the GCI's page.

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