Qualities of an Internet Connection

How do you know if you have a good internet connection?  What are the most important qualities?  How do I know?

Download Speed

Every time you stream a TV show, receive an email, load a webpage, or view photos you are downloading data from the internet.  Your download speed measures how fast data comes to you.  This is measured in Mbps (megabits per second).  The higher the number, the faster and better your speed (well up to the point you actually need).  The current FCC-defined download speed for broadband is 100Mbps, before 2024 this was 25Mbps.  

Upload Speed

Every time you send an email, upload content to social media, or participate in a virtual meeting, you are sending data to the internet.  Your upload speed measures how fast you can send data to the internet.  This is measured in Mbps (megabits per second).  The higher the number, the faster and better your speed.  The current FCC-defined upload speed for broadband is 20Mbps, before 2024 this was 3Mbps.  

Generally, most providers have a faster download speed and slower upload speed for residential service.  

This YouTube video does a nice job explaining internet speed and latency:  Is Your Internet FAST Enough? - YouTube 

Latency

Latency is the responsiveness of your internet connection (the amount of time it takes to go from your computer, to the destination (website) and back to your computer).  Even with very fast speeds, if your connection lacks responsiveness, your internet will feel slow and very sluggish.  This is measured in milliseconds, with a lower number being better.  Every website will have different latency.  Overall a good internet connection will average 100ms or less.  

Data Limits

Some providers limit how much data you can utilize during a billing cycle.  Everything you do on the internet uses data (measured in GB - gigabytes).  Some providers have soft limits in which your internet traffic may become prioritized (slowed) during periods of high usage by the collective customer base.  Other providers who enact limits may have hard limits in which your connection will be shut off, limited to dial-up-like speeds or billed overage fees when you hit the limit.  A good internet connection will have no data limits.  Watch the fine print for this.  

According to Netflix, a 1-hour TV show in standard definition will use 1gb of data.  In high definition, this same show will use 3gb.  If you have a 100gb data limit (as an example) and stream in high definition you will hit this limit after streaming 34 hours of programming.  How quick would you hit that 100gb data limit in your household?

Cost

Many smart consumers price shop for the lowest cost internet, this is smart, but don't stop by just looking at the monthly cost.  Dig into what you other fees you may have to pay and any up-front considerations.  Does your provider require you to sign a long-term contract?  This may limit your capability to change providers if you do not like who you have.  Some cost considerations:

• Are there any up-front costs, such as setup fees, installation fees or any equipment you need to purchase?

• Aside from your monthly service fees are there any monthly equipment rental fees?  Are there any fees charged for service calls if you have a problem?  Are there any overage fees?

• Can you leave the provider at any time if you are not satisfied?  If not, how long must you remain?  How much will it cost to leave early?    

• Can you provide your own equipment?  Does the ISP require you to use their equipment?  If they do, are they tacking on extra fees beyond the monthly service cost?

• Is the initial cost only for a promotional period.  If so, how long and what will the cost rise to?
  
  Just because the monthly service fee is cheaper than what you have now, does not mean switching service providers will save you money.

In a rural area, a fair monthly fee will range from $40-$90/month.