Streaming multiple TV shows or movies at the same time (especially 4K media) and downloading large files are both examples of activities that require higher download speeds than average. Almost all activities require a certain amount of download speed, so this is the main number you’ll want to pay attention to when deciding how much internet speed you need. Download Speedĭownload speed refers to how quickly your connection can retrieve data from a website or server online. Some do, however, including Skype and other video chat services, online gaming, and large cloud storage applications like Dropbox and Google Drive. In short, most activities online do not require high upload speeds. This number is often not the one heavily advertised by service providers online, and this is on purpose. Upload speed refers to how quickly your connection can send something (data, in this case) from your device to the wider internet. In order to better understand your internet speed test, it is vital to know the difference between upload speed and download speed. Understanding Your Internet Speed Test Results

The speeds advertised by internet providers are based on the speed you get with a device wired directly to the router using an ethernet cable. Keep in mind that using WiFi tends to reduce performance. This will often solve the issue, but not always. If you test your connection multiple times and find that you aren’t getting what you’re paying for, we recommend reaching out to your ISP for help. Running our internet speed test is the best way to determine if your provider is actually holding up their end of the bargain. Then there’s the flipside you may be paying for speeds you’re not actually getting. Based on the information above, if you find that your internet speeds are higher than needed, we’d recommend reaching out to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and switching to a lower-cost plan. You may be paying for more speed than you actually need, and these additional fees could be costing you month after month. For one, it could potentially save you some money.

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