If you live in the 21st century, the Internet is one of your basic needs. It is no wonder we are so immersed in the online world. With the rapid development of smart handheld devices, it has become just as huge part of our lives as the physical world surrounding us.
We browse, shop, play games, watch TV and movies, read and socialize online. Most of us are looking for a provider that will sell us fast and reliable internet for a reasonable price.
All ISPs market their services as great – but is that really always the case? There’s no reason to take their word for it. The smart thing to do is check if you are getting your money’s worth.
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How to Determine Real Internet Speed?
How do I find out how fast my Internet really is?
Checking your speed is actually pretty simple and quite useful. Especially when you know what to look for. Make sure you test both your download and upload speed, as well as your ping rate, which is used to determine real internet speed affected by packet loss. Small discrepancies are tolerable, but drastic differences should be looked into.
What are my options to choose best ISP?
Your options depend on whether the problem lies with your ISP or your own infrastructure.
If the slowness is due to your Wi-Fi, your best bet is to make peace with the fact that you won’t be getting exactly what you’re paying for on your mobile devices. However, if you need the full speed, you can always ditch wireless and connect your PC the old-fashioned way.
If, on the other hand, you have determined without a doubt that your ISP is not holding up their end of the bargain, don’t be afraid to shop around. I always check out all the most reputable internet providers near me to ensure I am getting the best offer out there. You can search it by www.bandwidthplace.com. There is plenty of competition that will be happy to jump in if your ISP is not doing their job properly.
Is my ISP cheating?
Suppose, the speed you’re getting is not the speed you’re paying for. There is a distinct possibility that your ISP is not sending you what they are advertising. Unfortunately, this is quite common, and there are several explanations.
Getting internet speed is a primary thing any company or individual need. First of all, when an ISP sells you an internet connection, what they don’t tell you is that you are sharing it with probably around 20 or 30 other users. They are counting on the fact that not all of you will be using it at the same time.
If the number of users is too high, or if you are unfortunate enough to have a bandwidth hog among you, that will probably affect your speed.
Of course, they will never reveal the exact number of users to you. But if you need a particularly reliable connection, say for business, you can ask for an SLA that will guarantee you a certain speed. Unfortunately, it will cost you a pretty penny.
Sometimes, the problem is not the speed itself, but packet loss. You will recognize this problem if you encounter loading glitches often – maybe a page never loads fully, or it gets stuck midway and you have to reload often. Also, check whether your ISP engages in the unsavory practice of bandwidth throttling.
3 another explanation to troubleshoot your slow internet speed:
Before you point an accusatory finger in your ISP’s direction, it’s best to check that the problem is not on your end. There could be a number of things that are causing slow internet that have nothing to do with your ISP.
- #1 Getting Rid of your Faulty Equipment:
The first one is definitely faulty equipment. Make sure that all of your equipment, like routers, modems, and cables, are working properly. The wireless signal is particularly problematic for two reasons. First of all, it loses strength going through walls. And second, a weak signal or interference from other networks or devices can literally cut your speed in half.
- #2 Poor Signal in case if you are using WiFi connection:
There is other best way to determine real internet speed your ISP is giving you. Connect your computer directly to your modem. What you read this way is the true speed you are getting. If the loss is due to your wireless or equipment, that’s a problem separate from your ISP. And it’s up to you to solve it.
If you are using WiFi connection, you can increase the internet speed by trying simple tips.
Also, read how to Save WiFi password for Auto-Connect. It will save your time. Whenever you will start your computer, your internet will get connected automatically.
- #3 Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is another great way to determine real internet speed and the quality of an ISP in the long run. If they have a bad reputation, maybe you should consider taking your business elsewhere.