Whether you are working from home, binge-watching videos, or using social media platforms, you need a steady and reliable internet connection. The increased reliance on an internet connection has led to a surge in demand for the internet. Thus, a slow internet connection is no less than a pain for many people.

Unfortunately, many people do not believe that internet speeds can be affected due to different reasons, and upgrading to a faster plan is not the only solution! If you are one of them, then you are in the right place.

How Do I Choose a Speed Tier?

Before we start discussing the factors that affect your internet connection, let's talk about the speed requirements of individuals.

Many American households have multiple devices that require a stable internet connection. Thus, it is safe to say that internet speeds have never been so important. So, if you are stuck with a slow internet speed, then there are certain things that you need to keep in mind.

But before you feel like throwing away your laptop, you should take some time out to understand your internet usage. Once you have determined your internet usage, go through the table below, so you can choose the perfect speed tier that supports your internet usage.

Internet Speed	Users Supported	Speed Summary
25 Mbps	1-2	Basic
100 Mbps	3-4	Average
200 Mbps	4-5	Fast
500 Mbps	5+	Very Fast
1,000 Mbps	5+	Gigabit

 

Looking for the bandwidth requirement for common activities? If yes, here's a table to help you figure out how many Mbps each internet activity requires, so you can do the math and choose the perfect internet plan. 

Activity	Recommended Bandwidth
Web browsing	3-5 Mbps
Email	1-2 Mbps
Music streaming	1-2 Mbps
Checking social media	3-10 Mbps
Smart home devices	1-10 Mbps
Video streaming	5-25 Mbps
Video conferencing	5-10 Mbps
Online gaming	5-25 Mbps

 

Choose Your Speed Tier Carefully!

If you are unable to do the math, then there is no need to stress out! You can always reach out to the support team of your internet service to upgrade your plan.

But please keep in mind that upgrading your internet plan can indeed offer benefits, but it is vital to manage your expectations. Because not all the ISPs promise to deliver the exact speed they have advertised.

Upgrading to a faster plan does not guarantee a dramatic increase in internet speed. Instead, it offers the potential for better performance under optimal conditions. Therefore, you need to look for the possible causes that might affect your internet connection and resolve them, so you can use a seamless internet connection.

If you are looking for an internet service provider that offers the speed it promises, then we suggest you choose Xfinity Internet. It has a fiber-powered internet connection and several different speed tiers. If you are uncertain about which speed tier to choose, consider reaching out to Xfinity customer support. The team will assist you in selecting the right plan for your online needs.

Five Factors Behind a Slow Internet Connection

The following are some of the major factors that can drastically affect your internet speed. 

Network Congestion During Peak Hours

Please know that internet speeds and traffic fluctuate throughout the day, with peak hours experiencing heavy usage. During these times, network congestion can lead to slower speeds, regardless of your subscription plan.

Unfortunately, sometimes, large-scale network congestion is not in your provider’s hands because it happens when there is not enough bandwidth to handle the existing amount of traffic. Network congestion mostly occurs during the evening, when more people in your area are at home and online.

Outdated Equipment

Bear in mind that your equipment plays a significant role in your internet speed. So, you should consider upgrading your equipment to boost your internet speeds. Check whether you are using the latest version of Wi-Fi, such as Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e. These are the latest versions of Wi-Fi and can offer more speed, more capacity, and a better signal range. 

Wi-Fi Issues

Sometimes, your internet gets sluggish because of several Wi-Fi issues. Here are some of the reasons why you might experience speed issues. 

1. Router’s Location

Undoubtedly, your router's location is of the utmost importance, and you need to ensure that it is kept in the optimal place. If your router is kept on the shelf or near the walls, then you will not get strong signals. 

In addition, please do not forget to adjust your router's antennas and ensure that you reconfigure them horizontally, so you can receive better signals. Because if the antennas are placed vertically, you will receive weak signals.

• Interference

Most of us make the mistake of keeping the router near the devices emitting signals, such as the radio, microwave, refrigerator, etc. Thus, change your router's location and keep it away from these devices.

ISP Throttling

Another main reason for poor internet connections is that your ISP throttles your connection. It is also known as bandwidth throttling and occurs when your Internet Service Provider (ISP) intentionally reduces your connection speed for specific types of online activities or during certain times. This practice is usually implemented to manage network congestion.

You Have Exceeded Your Data Cap

Many internet providers impose data caps, so you need to determine whether you have chosen a speed tier with data caps. The mere reason is that, if your internet plan comes with a data cap, then there are chances that you might have exceeded it. This means that once you have consumed a certain amount of data in a billing cycle, your connection speed could be reduced significantly until the cycle resets.

In Brief

Remember, you must carefully choose an internet plan that can give you the speed you need to perform all your internet activities. We hope now you are aware of the factors that might affect your internet speeds, so keep them in mind before you decide to upgrade your internet plan.

Moreover, consider your internet activities so you can ensure that your chosen plan aligns with your expectations and provides a seamless online experience tailored to your needs.