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Further Explanation About Networks and Internet Speed

Network Speed, which is the most commonly spoken about metric when it comes to network and application performance, refers to the speed at which data is transferred between two devices on a network.

Network Bandwidth (the Mbps of your Internet package) refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network or communication channel in a given period of time.

Throughput refers to the actual amount of data that is transmitted over a network or communication channel in a given period of time.

"Ping" (or latency) is related to "network speed" while your MB/s relates to "network bandwidth" available, not "network speed".

Ping time is about latency, not bandwidth: Ping measures how long it takes for a signal to travel from your computer to another device (like a server) and back. While more bandwidth can improve latency during times of congestion, it doesn't directly translate to faster ping times in all situations.

Distance and path matter more: The physical distance between your computer and the server you're pinging, and the number of hops (switches and routers) the data passes through, have a much greater impact on ping speeds.

Faster Internet (more MB) can help with ping during congestion: If your connection is already being used to its full capacity and causing congestion, then switching to a higher MB package could reduce ping times by freeing up bandwidth.

Shared Bandwidth: Your Internet connection has a certain bandwidth (the amount of data it can handle). When multiple devices are using that bandwidth, they need to share it.

Multiple devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network can affect Internet speed. When multiple devices are actively using the Internet, they share the available bandwidth, which can lead to slower speeds for each individual device. Think of it like traffic on a highway; the more vehicles (data packets), the slower the movement. You might notice slower speeds, buffering when streaming, or difficulty with online gaming if your home network is congested with multiple devices. More devices actively using the network means more data packets competing for the limited bandwidth.

Router's Role: Your router manages the Wi-Fi traffic, and if it's overloaded with many devices, it can slow down the overall performance. Older routers with outdated software can also slow down your network.

Factors Affecting Speed: Besides the number of devices, other factors like the quality of your Wi-Fi signal (how far away you are from the Wi-Fi router), interference from other devices (other devices using the same frequency in your home), and the router's capabilities can also impact your Internet speed. Things such as baby monitors, home security systems, smart home appliances, garage door openers, microwaves, and even some Bluetooth devices may be causing interference by using the same frequency as your router, generally 2.4GHz is the most common device frequency.

It is also worth noting, directly plugging a cat.5 cable from your PC to your router instead of connecting wirelessly will greatly improve performance. Also, if you have your cell phone set to automatically connect to your Wi-Fi when you are home, it is important to reboot (unplug and replug) your router to refresh your connections. Every time you come back in your home, your phone is creating a new connection to your Wi-Fi router, over time, this too can cause performance issues.