Do I Have Enough Internet Bandwidth? 5 Signs You Don't

We have all been there, trying to open a webpage and waiting for what seems like forever for the site to load, or you are watching a movie on Netflix, and as it gets good, the buffering symbol comes on. If you have had any of these issues, it could mean that your Wi-Fi network is having trouble. rnYour bandwidth allows for more traffic to come through your network while retaining its high speeds, but often requests go through the system and a low bandwidth connection slows internet speeds. Having a high bandwidth connection can help with multiple devices connecting to the network.

What is Bandwidth?

Bandwidth is defined as the capacity of a wired or wireless network communication links to broadcast the maximum quantity of data from one point to another over an internet connection or computer network at any given time.

Common Bandwidth Issues

Typically, bandwidth issues can be traced to a couple of specific activities. Activities are causing slow speeds always have two characteristics: a large amount of data and longer duration. The most common activities that cause bandwidth problems are: ● Watching videos from the Internet (Netflix, YouTube) ● Transferring large files between computers (higher than 100 megabytes in sizes) ● Constant streaming of data (i.e., surveillance footage from security cameras) ● Downloading files from the internet All the above items contribute to bandwidth issues. So, what internet speed do I need? Well, to determine this, you need to figure out what you use your internet for and how many gadgets can be connected at one given time. Below are five signs that you do not have enough bandwidth for your internet needs. 1. Different Rooms Get Stronger Signals Than Others If you are using your laptop or phone in different parts of your home, you might notice you get a more reliable wireless connection in one room and a low Wi-Fi signal in another. The strength of your signal is typically related to the distance from your router. The closer you are to your modem or router, the stronger your signal is, and this is because there are no physical obstructions, such as walls, doors, and structural beams between you. You can investigate range extenders that are plugged into an outlet on a wall and work well in smaller dwellings and can help with extending your signal to other areas of your home. 2. Webpages Loading Slowing When Someone is Gaming If you are searching the web and it slows significantly because someone in the next room is playing their games online, it is not just a coincidence. Gaming consoles typically connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi, and usually, online games need to use a lot of bandwidth to work. Depending on the router you use, you might need to consider upgrading to more substantial broadband. 3. Wireless Signal Fades for No Apparent Reason If one day you are the only one in the house connected to your modem or router and your wireless signal starts to fluctuate, other users out of your home may be borrowing or stealing your Wi-Fi connection. You might have a neighbour connected unknowingly, or someone squatting who has cracked your password and is using your bandwidth. If you suspect that someone else is using your bandwidth, check your security section and update a new secure Wi-Fi password. 4. Trouble Streaming Outside If you are having issues with keeping connected while outside relaxing, it could mean that you are out of range of your Wi-Fi router, or there are too many structural obstacles that are blocking your signal. Investing in an outdoor access point can help with connecting devices or installing an outdoor router that is closer to your backyard that can operate as a wireless access point. 5. Router Does not Have Enough Wired Pots A way to ease a lot on your Wi-Fi network to have specific devices connected to your router through an Ethernet cable, such as a desktop computer, media servers, or gaming consoles, are devices that can benefit from using a wired connection. The issue is most routers only come with four wired ports, which can fill up quickly if you are using smart home hubs, etc. How to Detect a Bandwidth Problem The first detection that you have a problem with your bandwidth problem is slow network performances. Although not every slow network is a result of issues with your bandwidth. Adding bandwidth to your plan can help, but it is not always the best solution, especially if you can necessarily afford the costs of an upgrade. You can diagnose network problems by using network monitoring technology. These technologies for diagnosing network programs can rewind to the point where the network begins to slow down and analyze any of the data to see if routers or ports were operating beyond their capacity. If this is the case, then the bandwidth is probably the problem. Final Thoughts When you have determined the problem with your bandwidth, you can ee the top contributor to the slow down and if that use is necessary. In some cases, your network wire can be overloaded, which bottlenecks all the connections. It does not matter how much bandwidth you have added. However, if your networks are continuously slow, it might be time to upgrade your wired or wireless network connections.