Reliable internet installation and access are needed in every home and business today. With more people and families utilizing home offices for online study and remote work, it is common to experience service interruptions and connectivity issues. This can be very frustrating, negatively impacting work and school performance.
Customizing Internet Speed: Matching Mbps to Your Home or Business Needs
In addition, the speed of the internet (measured in megabits per second, or Mbps) is based on your internet provider’s service. Internet speed varies depending on bandwidth limitations, software issues, network congestion, weather conditions, malware, viruses, and signal interference. While it is common for your internet speed to change throughout the day it shouldn’t always be a consistent issue.
Below are some basic minimum guidelines for internet speed.
Please note that many providers offer more internet speeds than just the following listed guidelines:
- 25 Mbps – The bare minimum speed recommended for one or two residential users who simply surf the internet or want to send and receive text emails.
- 50-100 Mbps - This is the minimum internet speed for smaller households who regularly use the internet and other streaming devices. A higher internet connection allows you to stream videos from different platforms comfortably.
- 100+ Mbps - Recommended for households with multiple users who want to have fast internet speed to download files, join video conferences, work calls, or stream videos. This is ideal for those who work from home or for students.
Hardwiring Your Internet Installation Connection: What Are the Benefits?
An internet speed test can be useful for verifying the effectiveness and speed of your internet connection. Some internet service providers (ISPs) offer their own internet speed tests, but there are also several other free, one-click internet speed assessments such as: Fast.com and Ookla Speedtest. Be sure to conduct the internet speed test on a typical day and at a time when no one else is in your home. When the test begins, you want everyone to refrain from downloading large files, gaming, or streaming videos. An internet connectivity test can be useful for identifying the following:
- Internet Speed
- Device Performance
- Network Performance
Find the best internet installation, internet speed tests, and internet service providers in your local community. For those living in the Baltimore-Metro area, there are several different internet service providers. Some of the most popular Baltimore internet service providers are
- Xfinity
- Verizon
- HughesNet
- Viasat
- T-Mobile
- Starlink
To increase your internet bandwidth, consider hardwiring your internet connection(s). Hardwiring your home or office to the internet is a smart investment, because hardwired Ethernet-enabled connections have greater reliability and support with more bandwidth compared to Wi-Fi. With greater bandwidth, you’ll be able to upload and download more data without compromising the connection for others in your household, such as children who may be logging onto an online class.
Installing Dedicated Internet Lines for Improved Internet Speed
Likewise, with greater bandwidth, your video calls won’t drop if other family members are streaming a movie or playing an online video game. Contact Milton Electric to have our certified electricians run dedicated internet lines from the router to each computer in your home.
Hardwired Internet Installation FAQ's
Does internet speed vary by location?
Internet speed does change when you move locations. Your signal strength can vary, especially when you move to different geographical locations and aren’t close to any reliable internet connection. Another factor affecting your internet speed in different locations is the internet service provider you use. Network congestion, geographic factors, and service plans with your internet service provider all impact your internet speed when you change locations.
What is latency on internet speed test?
Latency is commonly called Ping and measured in milliseconds. Latency is the time it takes for a response to load after you requested it on your device. After the response returns to your device, it has completed a round trip. Latency allows for data packets to travel between devices and servers. It’s ideal to have low latency as this is the most desirable for internet activity because it’s associated with minimal speed delays.
Can I get internet without a service provider?
In order to have internet and Wi-Fi in your home, you need a service provider. Depending on where you live, find the best service providers in your area. Type in your address on the FCC map and it will provide you with a list of service providers in your community. If you ever find yourself in a situation without Wi-Fi or internet, go to a local space or building that has public Wi-Fi. You can easily access free Wi-Fi in public areas without having a service provider.
Why is my internet so slow?
Your internet can be slow for a variety of different reasons. For example, your network may be congested and have too many users on at the same time. It is also common to run into router issues and Wi-Fi interferences. This can be anything from bad weather to outdated firmware. If you are consistently experiencing slow Wi-Fi, contact a local certified electrician to ensure your wiring isn’t affecting your slow internet connection.
How much internet speed do I need?
How much internet speed you need depends on your user behavior. If you are only one person and need minimal internet usage, you can opt for 25-50 Mbps which is ideal for a smaller household with basic internet and streaming necessities. If you have a larger household and rely on the internet for work or school, opt for getting 100 Mbps or more. It’s best to avoid network congestion and get a higher internet speed to ensure everyone has easy and effortless internet access.
What's the difference between speed and bandwidth when troubleshooting slow or spotty internet service?
Before finding the best internet installation services and troubleshooting slow or spotty internet services, you must understand the difference between speed and bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of information and data you can receive, whereas speed influences how quickly data will upload, or download.