What Affects Your Internet Speed
Understanding What Slows Down Your Connection
While our fiber optic network delivers blazing-fast speeds directly to your home, several factors can impact the internet experience on your devices. Let's break down what could be slowing you down.
Wi-Fi Connections
- Wi-Fi Limitations: Achieving gigabit speeds on Wi-Fi devices is challenging due to wireless technology limitations.
- Interference: Devices like microwaves, cordless phones, and even other Wi-Fi networks can significantly interfere with your signal, reducing speeds.
Wired Connections
Even with our high-speed fiber network, wired connections can experience slowdowns due to:
- Outdated Hardware: Older devices, operating systems, and network adapters can bottleneck your connection.
- Website Performance: Factors beyond our control, like heavy website traffic or routing issues, can affect speeds.
- VPN Usage: Some VPNs can limit speeds if they can't handle high-speed traffic.
- Network Congestion: Peak usage times (typically evenings) can lead to slower performance as more people are online.
- Video Streaming: Streaming video consumes a significant portion of your bandwidth, reducing available speed for other activities.
- Latency and Packet Loss: These technical issues can cause delays and interruptions in your connection, often due to network congestion or hardware problems.
Tips for Improvement
- Optimize Your Wi-Fi: Follow our tips to improve Wi-Fi performance and reduce interference.
- Check Your Equipment: Ensure your devices, operating systems, and network adapters are up-to-date.
- Troubleshoot Issues: Use our network troubleshooter for specific problems or visit our article on improving Wi-Fi speeds for general guidance.
Remember: While we provide the fastest possible connection to your home, factors within your network and beyond our control can impact your overall internet experience.
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