Ordering internet service can be a bit confusing, especially if you have never done it before. One of the first things you have to consider is how much bandwidth you need. Luckily, that process may be easier than you think. Here's what you need to know:
What Is Bandwidth?
Bandwidth is a measurement of how much data your internet can download at any one time. Downloading simply refers to any time you use the internet to read information, watch a video or listen to music. It contrasts with uploading. To explain, if you make a YouTube video, you are uploading it when you put it online. Most internet service providers offer slower upload speeds compared to download speeds.
Generally, bandwidth is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). So for example, if you order internet service that is 10 MB/s. That simply means it has the power to download 10 megabytes every second.
How Much Bandwidth Do You Need?
Now that you understand bandwidth, you need to consider how you use the internet. Different activities require different amounts of bandwidth. For instance, reading an email takes a lot less bandwidth than watching a video. Similarly, streaming a high-definition video takes up more bandwidth than streaming a low-definition video.
Make a list of what you do online. Then, cluster the events that happen together, do a bit of research to see how much bandwidth each activity requires, and figure out the total you need.
For instance, watching an ultra high-definition Netflix video takes about 7 Gigabytes per hour, and that equates to 1.94 MB/s. If on an average day, three people at your house are likely to be watching a video at the same time, then, you need a bandwidth of at least 5.82 MB/s.
Do You Always Receive the Advertised Rate?
Typically, internet service providers advertise the fastest rate you can get. However, you may not always get that much bandwidth. If you use wifi, you will generally only get a portion of the advertised bandwidth. To tap into the full bandwidth, you need to connect your electronics to the modem directly using an ethernet cable.
Similarly, with cable internet, speeds may slow if your neighbours are using the internet. With satellite Internet, the bandwidth may slow if it's cloudy or stormy. Because of that, you typically want to order more bandwidth than you need. You may also want to look into the underlying infrastructure. Many areas are now switching to NBN connection services, which can offer faster speeds than are currently available in many cases.
For more information on NBN connection services, click here!