When it comes to choosing an internet or cable service provider, internet speed is a top consideration. This determines how quickly you can get things done online and also how many tasks your network can manage at one time. Unless you're really not using the internet often, you probably need more than the minimum speed. If you're not sure what internet speed means or what you need, this general guide will help you get started.

What Is Internet Speed?

This is how much data and information can be transferred at any given time. Why this matters for the average person is that it will determine what types of activities you can do as well as how many devices can be working at one time. If your internet speed is too slow, you may run into problems doing things like streaming video, uploading files, and participating in tasks such as meetings.

The two general terms you should know are bandwidth and broadband. Bandwidth is the total number of frequencies that a network can manage at any given time. The higher that your bandwidth is, the faster your internet speed. Broadband is a term that describes how fast your internet runs.

How Much Do You Need?

While there is not a one size fits all, the FCC recommends that homes with multiple internet users or homes that are frequently streaming online have 12-25 Mbps for their bandwidth. If you're working from home, your internet speed or broadband may vary. For users who are downloading and uploading large files, an internet speed of at least 40 Mbps is ideal. At the minimum when you're doing video conferencing, 10 Mbps is probably ideal.

Maximizing Your Speed

Although you may have a great connection, there are typically fluctuations in your internet speed. One determinant of your internet speed is going to be the location of your router. Since the router will affect your internet speeds, you want to keep it in the middle of the house in a spot that is clear and elevated. If you put it on the floor or near thick or dense walls, these can block the signal and decrease your speed. Having it in the middle of the house will let you use the internet throughout the home.

Your internet may also be slower at certain times of the day or night. During 7-11 PM, many people are using their home internet. This can slow down internet speeds, especially for users of cable internet. This is a problem that's frequently occurring but the solution isn't easy. It's best to reduce the number of devices on the internet or paying for a higher speed.

You can also try to connect your devices via hardware such as an ethernet cord to help with these problems and limit the number of devices that are connected.

Now that you have an idea of what you may need for optimal internet use, reach out to your provider for the best deal moving forward. You can often find good deals for new users with optimal speeds for your needs.