The Common Misconception About Internet Speed
There is a widespread misunderstanding in the world of internet service that often leads to confusion, stress, and wasted time: the belief that consumers pay their internet provider for speed.
Many people express concerns such as, “I am not getting the speeds I am paying for,” or “The speed test on my device shows I am not getting the speeds you advertise.”
This misconception is at the root of much confusion regarding how internet service works.
Speed vs. Bandwidth: What Are You Paying For?
The fundamental issue with these statements is that speed is not what you are paying your internet provider for.
Speed represents the performance of the connection between a specific device and the internet. It is influenced by several factors:
the device itself,
the surrounding environment,
the network infrastructure,
the servers being accessed,
and many other conditions.
As a result, running speed tests on two different devices connected to the same network may yield vastly different results. Even the same device can show varying speeds at different times or in different locations within your home. Speed tests, therefore, only reflect how well a particular device is functioning at a specific moment.
If you conduct a speed test directly through your router using an app that enables remote access, you will get the closest approximation of your internet connection’s overall capability. However, even these results can fluctuate due to factors unrelated to your actual internet service.
The Role of Bandwidth
What you are truly paying your internet provider for is bandwidth. While higher bandwidth allows for higher speeds, they are not interchangeable terms.
A helpful analogy is to imagine your internet connection as a roadway:
A low-bandwidth connection (25 Mbps or less) resembles a one-lane dirt road. No matter how fast your car is, you cannot drive very quickly.
In contrast, mid-tier internet service (100-500 Mbps) is more like a highway: more lanes enable most vehicles to travel faster, but traffic congestion can slow everyone down. Importantly, if your car has a maximum speed of 50 mph, it will never go faster, regardless of road conditions.
High-bandwidth internet (1,000 Mbps or more) is akin to a super-highway, allowing almost all vehicles to operate at their peak speed, although each vehicle still has its own speed limitations.
Why High Bandwidth Matters
The benefit of high bandwidth is not that you will experience extremely high speeds on every device. Instead, it ensures that all devices can utilize as much bandwidth as they can handle, enabling them to perform at their best possible speed.
Most modern applications (such as streaming 4K video, participating in video conferences like Zoom, or engaging in online multiplayer gaming) require less than 50 Mbps to function optimally. Therefore, if you encounter issues like video buffering or gaming lag, and your speed test indicates speeds above 100 Mbps, speed is unlikely to be the problem.
The true advantage of substantial bandwidth is that multiple devices can run demanding applications simultaneously without exceeding your maximum available bandwidth. For example, you can stream 4K video, your partner can join a Zoom meeting, and your children can play online games at the same time, all without straining your internet connection.
Ultimately, this means most internet issues are not related to speed. A speed test result that is significantly lower than the bandwidth you pay for does not necessarily indicate a problem.
Diagnosing Internet Issues
If you experience specific internet problems, such as buffering video, lagging games, or spotty connections, a speed test can help identify if there is an issue with a particular device or in a specific area of your home.
However, it cannot diagnose problems with your overall internet connection. Most common internet issues stem from causes like Wi-Fi interference, weak signal strength, or needing to reboot your equipment (either the device or your router).
Providers can help troubleshoot and, if necessary, dispatch a technician to address persistent connection problems.
Moving Past the Speed Test Myth
The assumption that lower-than-expected speeds are the root of common internet issues only serves to frustrate users and delay effective solutions. When contacting your internet service provider for assistance, sharing your speed test results can be helpful for troubleshooting.
However, it is important to understand that speed tests are merely diagnostic tools. Even if the results are lower than anticipated, they may not reveal the true cause of your internet problems. Being open to exploring other causes will help ensure your issues are resolved more efficiently.