Spectrum Speed Test Tips

Reliable Internet service has become a core feature of the modern-day household.

A fast, steady Internet connection is necessary for many of our day-to-day activities including:

• Streaming content    
• Video games    
• Basic web browsing  
• Household management    
• Working from home    
• Schoolwork   
• Zoom calls   
• Staying connected with family and friends

Not all Internet services are created equal, however. There are marked differences in overall Internet speeds depending on your chosen provider and the area of the country that you live in, for example, rural versus urban. 

Gauging your network connection isn't a single measurement. Device speed is better described as a collection of measurements designed to accurately depict your router's level of network performance. When talking about Spectrum's Internet service, there are certain terms you should be aware of.

• Megabits per second (Mbps): Mbps is the amount of information moving through your data pipeline at any given time. Uploads, downloads, and other key metrics are all measured in Mbps.
• Upload and download speeds: The information transferred over Spectrum's high-speed Internet moves in two different directions: into your device and away from your device. Download speed refers to the speed at which your device can access data from the Internet. Most providers use the download speed as their stated benchmark when advertising their plan offerings. Upload speed refers to how quickly your router or other devices send information back to the Internet.
• Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the sum of the download and upload measurements taken together.
• Ping and Latency: Ping and latency are important concepts to understand in order to properly gauge your overall network performance. Latency marks the time it takes for data to move between two points regardless of direction. Ping is simply the action of sending information to a specific destination. Therefore, ping is the action, latency is the time it takes to complete the action.

When it comes to network connectivity, most everyday activities require little overall bandwidth. A single person can comfortably browse the Internet and even stream content (as long as it's not in high definition) on a minimal service plan. However, this scenario rarely happens in the real world. In the average household, multiple users compete for bandwidth. When you have 4-6 users all streaming digital content, browsing or playing video games, ping times can crash and your Internet connectivity can suffer greatly. By the FCC's standards, any service plan that offers 25 Mbps download speeds is considered high speed, but in the modern era of streaming services, 25 Mbps is barely enough. For a family of multiple users, it's best to take the total amount of bandwidth that your plan allows and divide it by the number of users in your household to gain an accurate picture of true data allotment. Thankfully, most Internet service providers’ lowest tiers offer 200 Mbps as standard.

Your router is the piece of equipment that converts the hardline cable signal into wireless Internet access for your entire home. However, any time that you transmit a signal wirelessly, it can lose strength depending on external conditions. 

Some of the factors that can affect your router's strength and your overall network connectivity include:     

• The number of users on your network.    
• Background applications utilizing bandwidth.    
• Your device's distance from the router.   
• Building design and material.   
• Geographic location. This list is a simple cross section of factors that may reduce your Spectrum Internet service speeds. Any number of other, anecdotal factors can also decrease network performance as well.

The FCC's 25 Mbps metric is somewhat outdated. Most modern Internet plans boast far greater network speeds. Spectrum's high-speed Internet offerings cover a wide range of download speeds. Their base plan comes with a minimum of 100 Mbps network speeds. That number is dependent on geographic location, however. Spectrum also offers their Internet Ultra plan which gives the end user 300 Mbps network performance along with a higher tier for those who require more bandwidth. Spectrum’s Gig plan provides customers with 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) download speeds. Spectrum also offers a budget broadband plan for low-income families. This plan gives you 30 Mbps download speeds retailing at a cost-effective price. There is, however, an application process for this type of plan. Spectrum has a sizable service footprint with availability in 41 different states, serving more than 33% of the United States population. With reliable infrastructure composed of fiber coaxial cable available to a large subset of the country, chances are there's coverage in your region.

Like most Internet service providers, Spectrum's high-speed Internet service varies in speed and network performance based in part on geographic location. As a rule of thumb, service is faster and stronger in urban centers and may suffer additional latency in more rural areas of the country. Spectrum's Internet service performed best in the following locations:

• Los Angeles
• New York
• San Antonio
• Dallas
• Austin
• St. Louis
• Orlando

Predictably, Spectrum's network performance functions best in Southern California, Texas' urban centers, and most of New York state. With coverage in nearly 500 towns or city centers nationwide, Spectrum's internet services are widely available wherever you go.

SmartMove offers a free, easy-to-use tool designed to measure your home's upload and download speeds. This quick test helps you gauge your area's network performance to ensure that you are with the right provider and on the right plan for your family's needs. Use the prompt above to start your Internet speed test today.