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A wifi symbol drawn on a chalkboard to represent an internet speed.

What Internet Speed Should You Use?

You will want to consider may factors before you choose an Internet connection package. Fastest download speed is one of the factors you will consider along with pricing, reliability and customer service. Choosing an Internet service is a process that requires you to ask yourself a few questions. The following are tips on how to make that choice:

How Will You Use Your Devices?

The tasks that you plan to perform will determine the speed that you will need. If you are a light user who only checks email and browses the web occasionally, then you will not need the highest bandwidth or the fastest speed. However, if you are a business owner who uses demanding applications, then you will want to look into greater bandwidth. Additionally, if you are online music or movie buff, then you will want to pay close attention to speed and bandwidth. Internet-connected gaming also eats up a great deal of bandwidth.

Various Speed Packages

You will find the speed of the packages that you are considering somewhere on the description page. You can then use a connection speed/download speed calculator to see what the speeds mean. For example, imagine that you are considering a cable Internet package that has download speeds of 25 Mbps. The calculator could tell you that such a speed makes it possible for you to download a song in a fraction of a second. The package that you choose depends on what you plan to do with your devices and the number of devices that you have. More devices mean you'll be using more bandwidth.

Trying a Package

You can try a package and see if it works for you. In terms of speed, you will likely know whether you have chosen the right speed within minutes of connecting to the Internet. At most, after a few days. The bandwidth is a bit trickier to figure. The bandwidth is the volume of data that the provider allows you to pass through its servers on a monthly basis. Some providers may cap you at 5GB or 10GB, while other providers will give you unlimited bandwidth.

Finding a plan that offers the fastest unlimited bandwidth is best. Many cable providers offer such a service. If you do not obtain a plan that has an unlimited bandwidth, then you could run out. When you run out of bandwidth, your connection speed will slow down drastically, or it may stop working altogether. If you find that this is the case, then you will want to upgrade your plan.

What Is the Best Package For Me?

Don't forget to consider package prices. It may seem like you need the fastest package, which is also the most expensive package, but the best package is the one that suits the specific needs that you have. If you have to, you can even shift your needs to fit the package you can afford. For example, you might limit the number of devices that you use at one time to free up bandwidth. Ultimately, you will want to consider your budget, your tasks, and your family’s size before you decide.

Last Updated: April 25, 2017