Internet Speed Guide

Internet speed can be confusing with all those numbers and technical terms. Let's break down what Mbps, latency, and bandwidth actually mean and how they affect your daily internet experience.

Quick Speed Guide

Internet speed is measured in Mbps (megabits per second). Higher numbers mean faster internet, but the right speed depends on how you use the internet and how many people are using it at the same time.

Understanding Mbps (Megabits Per Second)

1-10 Mbps

Basic browsing, email, social media

25-100 Mbps

HD streaming, video calls, gaming

200+ Mbps

4K streaming, large downloads, multiple users

Download vs Upload Speed

Download Speed

How fast you can receive data from the internet

• Loading websites
• Streaming videos
• Downloading files
• Receiving emails
• Online gaming

Upload Speed

How fast you can send data to the internet

• Video calls
• Uploading photos/videos
• Sending emails with attachments
• Live streaming
• Cloud backups

Latency (Ping) - The Speed of Response

What is Latency?

Latency (also called ping) measures how quickly data travels from your device to a server and back. It's measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower numbers are better - think of it as the time it takes for your message to reach someone and get a reply.

< 20ms

Excellent - Perfect for gaming and video calls

20-50ms

Good - Fine for most activities

> 100ms

Poor - Noticeable delays in real-time activities

Speed Requirements by Activity

Activity	Minimum Speed	Recommended Speed
Web Browsing	1-5 Mbps	10+ Mbps
HD Video Streaming	5 Mbps	25+ Mbps
4K Video Streaming	25 Mbps	50+ Mbps
Online Gaming	3-6 Mbps	15+ Mbps
Video Calls	1-4 Mbps	8+ Mbps
Large File Downloads	10 Mbps	50+ Mbps

Factors That Affect Your Internet Speed

🚫 Things That Slow You Down

• Too many devices connected at once
• Distance from your router (Wi-Fi)
• Thick walls or obstacles
• Old or outdated equipment
• Network congestion during peak hours
• Background apps downloading updates
• Malware or viruses on your device

✅ Things That Help Speed

• Using Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi
• Upgrading to a newer router
• Closing unnecessary apps and browser tabs
• Using 5GHz Wi-Fi instead of 2.4GHz
• Positioning router in a central location
• Updating your devices and software
• Using a wired connection for gaming

How to Test Your Internet Speed

Speed Test Tips

• Test at different times of day to see peak vs off-peak speeds
• Test on different devices to compare performance
• Test both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections
• Close other apps and browser tabs before testing
• Test multiple times and average the results
• Use reputable speed test websites