Do you know how much internet speed you are paying for and how much you’re getting from your ISP? Unless you’ve recently assessed your current usage, chances are you are either overpaying for a connection plan you don’t need or your plan is under-serving your company’s needs with speeds that are too slow.
Either way, it’s time for an internet speed test. After all, you’re paying a lot for your internet connection, whether is a basic or top-tier package. So you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth — which is not always the case.
Here are a few steps to help you put your internet connection to the test.
Step 1 — Check Your Statement
Check your monthly statement from your ISP. It should clearly state how many megabits per second (Mbps) you are paying for. Here are a few terms to know:
- Mbps: “Megabits per second” refers to data transfer speeds. One megabit equals one million bits. Mbps refer to the size of a file. For example, a four-minute iTunes song is about four Mbps. With a 10Mbps connection, you can download 20 songs in 60 seconds. With a 100Mbps connection, you can download 200 songs in 60 seconds.
- Download Speed: How quickly information travels from the Internet to your computer.
- Upload Speed: How quickly information travels from your computer to the Internet.
Step 2 — Run a Speed Test
Next, run a speed test to see how well your connection is actually performing. Both businesses and residences use bandwidth speed tests to keep tabs on the speed and quality of the connection coming from their broadband providers.
Use a utility such as speedtest.net. Before you start, first make sure everything is correctly set up. Run the utility on a desktop or laptop plugged directly into your router or cable modem. Based on the test, if your speed is way off, consider contacting your ISP to see if there is a hardware, connection, or subscription issue. There are many reasons why Internet connections slowdown. In most cases, your Internet speed is dictated by factors that need to be adjusted in your office.
Step 3 — Make Adjustments
There are only two actual factors at play when you calculate how much Internet speed you need: who is using the Internet and what are they using it for. If your employees play online games during their lunch break or you view social media sites while simultaneously streaming the news, the speed for each connection is going to suffer. It’s not difficult to figure out the actual Mbps your business needs based on how much bandwidth common online activities require.
Once you’ve figured out how much speed you actually need based on what your business uses the Internet for, you can make sure you’re paying for the appropriate speed.
Want more help to optimize your internet speed in your business? The internet pros at Gulf South Technology Solutions will ensure that your need for speed is always met.
