Your broadband speed test is a great way to find out how much internet speed you're getting. But don't be fooled by the numbers; Your internet speed test is only showing you the speed of the device your testing with, in it's current situation. Essentially the speed test is showing you what's left for your device after several factors have been considered.

 

Are you using a mobile to test? Is the speed test service itself reliable? Are you using Wi-Fi? Just a handful of things that can affect what the speed test results show Vs what you're actually getting from your provider.

 

We've outlined below a list of factors that can affect the speed of your internet connection to help you understand what's really going on.

 

 

PPC Wales Broadband

 

Several factors can affect your broadband speed. Here’s a comprehensive list:

 

1. Internet Plan (Bandwidth)

• Speed Cap: Your broadband provider offers a certain speed limit (e.g., 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps). If your plan has a lower speed limit, that will be the maximum speed you can achieve, regardless of other factors.

 

2. Type of Connection

• Fiber Optic: Offers the fastest and most reliable speeds.
• Cable: Provides high-speed internet, but can be slower than fiber.
• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): Slower than fiber or cable, particularly the further you are from the exchange.
• Satellite: Can have high latency and slower speeds, especially during bad weather.
• 5G or Mobile Networks: Speed varies depending on signal strength and congestion in the area.

 

3. Network Congestion

• Peak Hours: Broadband speeds can be slower during peak usage times when many people in your area are online (e.g., evenings).
• ISP Throttling: Some providers may intentionally slow down your speed during heavy usage, especially for activities like streaming or downloading.

 

4. Wi-Fi vs. Wired Connection

• Wi-Fi: A wireless connection is typically slower and less stable than a wired one. Distance from the router, interference, and obstacles can reduce Wi-Fi speeds.
• Wired (Ethernet): Direct connection via Ethernet cable offers faster and more stable speeds than Wi-Fi.

 

5. Router Quality and Placement

• Old or Low-Quality Routers: Can limit speed, especially for higher speeds (e.g., 1 Gbps). Routers need to support the latest Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5/6).
• Placement: The position of your router in the home can affect signal strength and speed. Avoid placing it in corners or behind walls that could block signals.

 

6. Distance from Router

• Signal Degradation: The further you are from the router, the weaker the Wi-Fi signal, leading to slower speeds.

 

7. Interference

• Other Devices: Other wireless devices, such as microwaves, baby monitors, or cordless phones, can interfere with Wi-Fi signals.
• Neighboring Networks: In densely populated areas, many Wi-Fi networks can interfere with each other, particularly on the same channel.

 

8. Number of Devices Connected

• Multiple Devices: More devices (phones, computers, smart TVs, etc.) using the internet at once will share the bandwidth, potentially slowing down speeds for each device.
• Heavy Bandwidth Usage: Activities like streaming, gaming, video conferencing, or large downloads on multiple devices can slow down overall speed.

 

9. Background Applications

• Data-Heavy Apps: Programs like cloud backups, streaming services, and automatic software updates can consume bandwidth and reduce speeds for other applications.

 

10. Network Cables (if wired)

• Old or Low-Quality Cables: Using outdated or low-quality Ethernet cables (e.g., Cat 5 instead of Cat 6 or 7) can limit speeds, especially for high-speed connections.

 

11. Router Firmware

• Outdated Firmware: Routers need regular firmware updates for optimal performance and security. Old firmware can lead to bugs, slower speeds, and stability issues.

 

12. ISP Limitations or Issues

• Throttling by ISP: Some ISPs may limit speeds for certain activities or after you've used a certain amount of data.
• Outages or Maintenance: Sometimes ISPs conduct maintenance or experience outages that temporarily impact speeds.

 

13. Connection Errors or Noise

• Line Noise: Poor or noisy lines (especially with DSL) can lead to slower speeds. This can be caused by faulty equipment, interference, or issues at the exchange.
• Packet Loss or Latency: High latency and packet loss (due to issues with network routing or congestion) can result in slower and unstable connections.

 

14. External Factors

• Weather: Extreme weather (e.g., heavy rain or storms) can affect satellite or wireless connections, causing temporary speed drops.
• Geographical Location: The further you are from your ISP’s infrastructure, the slower the connection might be, particularly for DSL or cable.

 

15. Device Hardware

• Old or Low-Performance Devices: Your computer or device may not support high-speed connections or may have hardware limitations, such as an old network adapter or insufficient RAM/processing power.

 

How to Improve Broadband Speed:

• Upgrade to a higher-speed plan with your ISP.
• Switch to a wired Ethernet connection instead of relying on Wi-Fi.
• Ensure your router is modern and placed in a central location.
• Disconnect unused devices or limit background apps using bandwidth.
• Consider upgrading network cables to newer, faster ones (e.g. Cat 6).
• Regularly restart your modem and router.
• Contact your internet service provider to check for any issues or outages.

 

By understanding and managing these factors, you can improve and optimize your broadband speed for better performance.

 

We want you to have the best possible connection based on what's available to you and your property. See our broadband services and find out how we can help you get better connected online in West Wales.