Understanding Device Speed: What’s Really Slowing You Down?

Understanding Device Speed: What’s Really Slowing You Down?

A guide for understanding fiber internet performance at the device level. 

We know it can be frustrating when your device doesn't seem to match the speeds you expect with fiber internet. The good news is, most of the time, the issue isn’t with your internet connection—it’s with the device itself or the environment around it.

There are several factors that can influence the actual speeds you experience. We’ve outlined the most common ones below to help you better understand what might be happening. Please review these points to see if any apply to your situation:

1. Device Capabilities

  1. Age and Type of Device: Older devices or those not designed for high-speed internet might not support the latest Wi-Fi standards (e.g., Wi-Fi 6), limiting their performance.
  2. Hardware Limitations: Your device’s processor, network card, or other internal components may not be able to handle the full speed provided by our fiber service.

2. Connection Type

Wi-Fi vs. Wired:
  1. Wi-Fi: Speeds can decrease due to distance from the router, walls, or interference from other devices (e.g., microwaves, cordless phones, or neighboring Wi-Fi networks).
  2. Wired Connection: A direct Ethernet connection typically delivers more consistent and higher speeds. Testing with a wired connection can help identify if Wi-Fi is the issue.
Wi-Fi Signal Strength: If your device is far from the router or in a weak signal area, speeds may drop.


3. Router

  1. Model and Capabilities: An older or incompatible router might not support the speeds our fiber service offers. Check if your router matches your plan’s speed tier.
  2. Firmware Updates: Outdated router firmware can reduce performance. Ensure your router is running the latest software version.

4. Network Congestion

  1. Number of Devices: If multiple devices are connected and using the internet at once (e.g., streaming, gaming, or video calls), the available speed per device may decrease.
  2. Bandwidth Usage: Activities like large file downloads or uploads can temporarily consume significant bandwidth, slowing down other devices.

5. Type of Activity

  1. Streaming vs. Downloading: Streaming video might not need as much speed as downloading large files, but it can feel slow if the connection isn’t stable.
  2. Stability Requirements: Activities like online gaming or video calls depend more on a steady connection than raw speed. Issues like latency or jitter can affect performance.

6. Service Plan Details

  1. “Up to” Speeds: Our plans advertise “up to” speeds, meaning the maximum possible under ideal conditions. Real-world factors (like those listed here) can lead to lower speeds.
  2. Contract Terms: Review your plan to confirm the expected speeds and any performance-related terms.

  1. Maintenance or Outages: Temporary network maintenance or outages can affect speeds. Visit our service status page (#) for updates on any known issues.
  2. Peak Usage Times: During high-demand periods in your area, speeds might slow due to overall network traffic.

8. Device Software

  1. Malware or Viruses: Malicious software could be using bandwidth or slowing your device. Ensure your antivirus is up to date.
  2. Background Processes: Apps running in the background (e.g., cloud backups, software updates) might consume bandwidth without you noticing.

Next Steps

If you’re still concerned about your speeds, try these troubleshooting tips:
  1. Run a Speed Test: Use a wired connection and a reliable tool (like speedtest.net) and choose IdeaTek’s Speedtest server to measure your speeds accurately.
  2. Restart Your Equipment: Power cycle your modem, router, and device to refresh the connection.
  3. Check for Interference: If using Wi-Fi, move closer to the router or reduce interference from other devices.
  4. Contact Support: If the issue persists, our technical support team is ready to assist. Reach us at www.ideatek.com/support. 
Thanks for being part of the IdeaTek family. We're here to help you get the most out of your fiber experience.

Info
For immediate assistance, please speak with us at chat.ideatek.com, or by phone at (620) 543-5555. To submit a ticket, email: help@ideatek.com.

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