There’s a lot more to the internet than simply fast or slow
For most of us, the internet has become part of our daily lives. We’ve used it so often that it we don’t even think about it—so frustrations can run high when it’s running slow.
Key terms about internet speed
Bandwidth is a measurement of the maximum amount of data you can transfer between two points on a network. Rather than the actual speed at which that information is traveling, it tells us how much information can pass through a gateway in any one spot. Your internet provider controls the bandwidth you receive, but it’s also affected by the modem and router.
As a rule: High bandwidth is best.
Latency is the amount of time data takes to reach a remote server and return to you—this is the actual speed at which the data is moving, plus the distance. The distance the data must travel affects your internet speed. This becomes truly noticeable when you’re requesting data from the other side of the world—or from a satellite network.
As a rule: Low latency is best.
Lag represents the time you spend waiting for your data when your latency is high. This can range from barely noticeable to unbearable when you’re playing a video game that requires split-second timing.
As a rule: Low lag time is best.
Buffering refers to the process of preloading data into a reserved area of memory that’s called the buffer. If the device receiving the data, usually audio or video, doesn’t receive the content at the rate that’s required, the content you’re using will pause while the buffer waits to be refilled.
As a rule: No buffering is best.
What internet speed do I have?
Take a speed test to find out what you’re working with right now. You might be surprised at how low your current speed is. At Bloomer Broadband, our lowest speed is 100 Mbps for just $49.95 per month, with speeds ranging up to 2.5 Gig! And when you choose an internet package of 500 Mbps or more, you’ll receive a commercial-grade router at no additional cost. Check out this blog post for all the details.
Want to know more? Bloomer Broadband is here to help!
We’re happy to help you determine which speed is right for you. Our network is 100% fiber, meaning that you’ll have the best of the best. Say goodbye to high latency, buffer and lag and wave hello to unbroken video chats, streaming and gaming.
Give us a call at 715-568-4830 with your questions. We’d love to hear from you.
