When purchasing an Internet connection service or deciding how to interconnect your business, experts or service providers can overwhelm you with terms you often do not understand very well. As a result, you are uncertain if you are making the best possible investment. Today, we will talk about bandwidth. A very important component to optimize your Internet service.
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is a term that comes from physics. Remembering the classes of this subject, the word “wave” will surely come to your mind. Waves have a bandwidth, the length of the wave’s extension. This is where the most signal power is concentrated.
Bandwidth vs Internet Speed
This concept can help you understand bandwidth in computer terms. But first, remember not to confuse network bandwidth with Internet speed. In reality, bandwidth is typically the amount or volume of information you can send through a connection in a given time, and this is measured in bits per second (Bps).
In this sense, the more information you manage and exchange in your home or company, the more bandwidth you will need to have a good transfer rate so that it can flow faster through your Internet connection.
What are the different types of bandwidth?
What is symmetrical bandwidth?
Symmetrical bandwidth is the definition used to describe the same transfer capacity for uploading and downloading data. In other words, it is sent and received symmetrically. For example, if a user can download at a maximum of 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload a file at 50 Mbps, he has symmetrical bandwidth.
What is asymmetrical bandwidth?
Asymmetrical bandwidth is the difference in capacity between upload and download data transfer. Generally, in asymmetrical bandwidth, the amount of data in the download is higher and the upload is lower. For example, a user may download at 50 Mbps but only upload at 20 megabits per second.
What Is Bandwidth Throttling?
Bandwidth throttling is the intentional slowing or speeding of an internet service by an Internet service provider (ISP). It is a strategy used to manage network traffic and minimize congestion. Bandwidth throttling can also be used to target specific users or applications.
How to fix Bandwidth Throttling?
There are a few things you can do to fix bandwidth throttling. One is to use a VPN, which will encrypt your traffic and make it harder for your ISP to throttle your connection. Another is to use a different DNS server, which can help bypass throttling. Finally, you can contact your ISP and ask them to stop throttling your connection.
What network bandwidth do I need? When do I require more bandwidth capacity?
If your Internet activities include streaming high-resolution videos, downloading movies or video games, or playing online games, you need good bandwidth since you exchange a lot of information on the web. A plan of at least 100 Mbps is ideal for you; some people use their network to listen to music, watch online videos, and send emails, among others. In this case, 25 Mbps of bandwidth is enough.
If, in your case, you run a business, you must consult with experts. At Access Point, we can help you by evaluating the type of activities performed in your company, the number of employees, and online information exchange needs to give you the best recommendation in terms of bandwidth available. In addition, we can make the necessary adjustments to your hardware to optimize latency and connection for your organization.
How to measure bandwidth of my business?
Before determining bandwidth of your business, you need to consider that the more simultaneous activities are performed on the Internet in your company, the slower your connection speed may decrease. This is where increasing your bandwidth is critical. As you know, your Internet service has a maximum speed. Here are some tips to help you diagnose the state of your bandwidth.
- Assess the number of people or devices using your network connection at the same time.
- Will they be doing simple activities or activities requiring a lot of data sharing?
- Estimate the maximum bandwidth usage needed for each task. Ex: Share emails 25 Mbps, make a live video: 100 Mbps.
- Calculate the amounts of bandwidth you would need for these activities to run simultaneously.
What bandwidth do I have? How to get a good Internet connection?
You can perform some actions frequently to take full advantage of the bandwidth you have contracted from your internet service provider. For example, restarting your router periodically can help you strengthen your signal and Internet connection. Also, upgrading your router can help you get faster and higher frequencies.
Using an Ethernet cable is also a good idea. This will help alleviate radio wave congestion, avoid bandwidth problems, and connect other devices to the network.
Bandwidth can vary significantly on a Wi-Fi connection. This happens when interference occurs or there is a saturation of the channels of your Wi-Fi network. Solve it by checking your router and defining under which channel you want your signal to connect, thus obtaining a better bandwidth. Do not forget to consult experts in this process.
Perform online speed tests. These will help you determine if you are using your contracted service optimally or need to make some improvements to get the most out of it. Visit fast.com, speedtest.net, or speakeasy.net to perform a bandwidth test, and don’t forget to visit our blog. We have an article that guides you step by step through the process of measuring your Internet speed.
To conclude, we leave you with 5 foolproof steps to improve your bandwidth and, once and for all, to say goodbye to Internet connection problems:
- Move your router. Ideally, place it in an open space without the presence of doors, walls, metal or thick objects. Ensure that no other devices can connect wirelessly, as they will generate interference.
- Set up the QoS. This step is essential, and if you do not feel confident doing it, we can do it for you. When reviewing your router’s configuration, go to the QoS function, which stands for Quality of Service, this way, you will be able to organize the traffic sent and received by your router. You will allow you to prioritize what you want to flow first on the connection. For example, devices making calls, streaming events, or downloading sensitive material.
- Upgrade your router. Some high-end routers will prevent your Wi-Fi channel from saturating, helping you avoid interference and thus increasing the bandwidth of your connection.
- Upgrade your router software. This device will help you to optimize the connection with each update better. Don’t forget to check the configuration to ensure everything is working correctly.
- Use a wired connection that allows your data to transfer efficiently. If you follow all these steps and still have connection problems, Access Point is here to take care of the problem and fix it.
Do you have more questions about bandwidth? Let us know in the comments.
Now that you know what bandwidth is, do not forget that keeping your connection in optimal conditions is key to increasing the productivity of each of your collaborators and, by the way, offering the best results to your company.
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