Optimum Speed Test Tips

Trying to figure out Internet speeds can be confusing, but SmartMove can help simplify the process. 

Computers transfer data in "packets," or units of data. Everything you do online, whether you're streaming video content, gaming or working relies on the transfer of those packets to your device. Your Internet connection speed measures the volume of data packets that can be transferred through your system or connection within a specific timeframe, usually measured as "Mbps," or megabits per second. The faster your Internet connection, the more packets of data you can transfer in a given period of time. If you're just checking static news sites on an older computer, you may not care as much about your Internet connection speed. Alternatively, if you are conducting virtual calls, playing games, streaming video or transferring high quantities of data, you may discover that a slow connection speed bogs down the process and makes it hard to view the data you need.

This really depends on several factors, and it will vary from person to person. Asking other people may not help unless they have needs like your own. Generally, if you live alone, then you may not require as much speed as a household of four. On the other hand, if you're a student or work from home, then your speeds will need to be higher than someone who works or attends school out of the house. There are other areas to consider, such as how many devices you use. If you are working on your laptop, browsing social media on your phone and checking your email on your tablet, then that's three separate devices using your bandwidth. If your children are down the hall doing homework, then that's more bandwidth being used. Factor in your visitors who come to spend the week, and your bandwidth may be inadequate to meet the demand. While you may not notice the slower speeds, chances are it is being affected. There also needs to be some consideration in how different tasks require a different download speed. Emailing your boss will not require as much bandwidth as having a Zoom call. How much is enough bandwidth though? It all comes down to the download speed. You may think you have enough, but as your needs grow, so does your bandwidth. The Federal Communications Commission broke down the minimum download speed or megabits per seconds (Mbps) into a few simple categories. Things like checking your email, social media, streaming online radio and taking VoIP calls require very little bandwidth. On the other hand, streaming high-definition videos, HD video teleconferencing and downloading files require much more bandwidth. Students and individuals who are telecommuting will require the most of all. Many Internet service plans now begin their tiers at 100 or 200 Mbps. This will allow you to do some light Internet browsing, listen to your favorite music, stream Netflix and download all the photos from your family vacation. Gamers in the family will require more bandwidth. If there are two to three people online at most, then you can comfortably go with 300 Mbps. That will allow you to connect to nine devices, work more readily from home and game online with your friends with ease. Serious gamers who like to play together under the same roof are going to require the highest speed of all, which is 940 Mbps. With speeds like this, you can connect ten or more devices, stream 4K videos and play online with no interruptions.

Understanding the factors that impact your Internet speed is the first step. There are a few things that will give you more accurate results. One is to do the test several times a day. The other is to do so in a room that has full view of the router. Now is the time to test the speed levels you're getting. SmartMove makes this process simple, you can use the prompt above to get started.

When it comes to Internet speed, the device type matters. In general, newer devices are going to run faster than older ones. If you haven't bought a new phone in the last five years, it may not be compatible with some of the newer updates. The same goes for tablets, laptops and computers. One way to check and see if your device is the problem is to test your Internet speed on multiple devices. This is the quickest way to figure out if one device is the culprit or if it's your Internet speed running slow. To reduce slower connection speeds and interruptions consider the following options to boost your Internet speed.

In a perfect world, the speed you were promised in your plan would be the speed you get. There are several factors that can interfere with this, however. Things like rebooting your router and modem, clearing your cache or cookies, moving your router and using fewer devices can help increase your Internet speed. If this doesn't work, calling your Internet provider is another way to get quick results. Whatever the reason, there is always a solution for slow Internet. Using a speed test is the perfect way to narrow things down.