Illustration of a speed test odometer moving at a high speed, symbolizing the importance of fast internet speeds
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A Note on Internet Speeds

This blog post will give you an overview of different factors that can slow down your fiber internet speeds and what you can do about it. We'll explain why you might not be getting a full gigabit over WiFi and the best way to test your internet speeds. Plus, we'll give some tips for troubleshooting and ensuring the best connection possible.

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Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable internet connection and is ideal for business and residential customers. However, fiber internet speeds are subject to multiple variables, like all internet connections. Understanding these factors can help optimize your network and ensure you get the best internet speeds possible.

home high-speed wifi router on desk
The location of your router can significantly impact speeds

The location of your router and devices plays a significant role in determining your internet speeds. If your router is far away from where you use your devices, you may experience slower speeds as the signal has to travel a greater distance. Additionally, if you share your internet connection with multiple people, devices, or both, your internet speeds may be impacted by their usage. Walls, furniture, and other barriers can also impact speeds. Interference from other electronic devices, such as microwaves or cordless phones, also decreases performance.

Plugging an ethernet cable into a home wifi router
Connecting via ethernet cable will give the most accurate speed test

While Phonoscope Fiber provides blazing-fast Internet speeds, the method you choose for connecting to the network can affect the speed you experience. A direct Ethernet connection to our modem offers the most reliable and fastest speeds, effectively eliminating many variables that can slow down a wireless connection. On the other hand, Wi-Fi connections offer more flexibility but generally slower speeds. Among Wi-Fi options, the 5GHz band usually provides faster and more reliable speeds compared to the 2.4GHz band, which is more susceptible to interference and thus can be slower. The 2.4GHz band also has a longer range but is often crowded, leading to potential slowdowns. To sum it up, for the most accurate measurement and best experience, we recommend using an Ethernet connection directly to our modem. You will get a more accurate measurement by eliminating the factors that impact WiFi speeds.

You can use reputable online speed test tools like Speedtest by Ookla to check your internet performance. These tools can test both wired and wireless connections and give you an accurate reading of your download and upload speeds and the ping, which measures how fast your network responds to external commands. (Try it for yourself! Test your speeds here)

Internet speed test for Phonoscope Fiber showing gigabit speed uploads and downloads

Another important factor is the quality of the internal network that connects all of your devices on the LAN side. Outdated network infrastructure or devices can decrease your network's overall performance and internet speeds. It’s important to verify that your devices are compatible with the speed of your internet service and that they can handle the amount of data you need to transfer.

As a Fiber internet provider, Phonoscope Fiber is committed to delivering our customers the fastest and most reliable internet speeds. By understanding the factors that can affect your internet speeds and taking steps to optimize your network, you can ensure that you are getting the best experience possible. If you encounter any issues with your internet speeds, please don't hesitate to contact our locally-based customer support team. They will be more than happy to help you troubleshoot and find a solution.

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