What Causes Internet Speeds to Increase and Decrease?
We’ve all had the experience of watching a video, then struggling through stuttering, buffering, and quality drops. One minute, our internet seems blazing fast, and the next, it slows to a crawl.
The truth is, internet speeds do rise and fall, fluctuating wildly throughout the day – and at times, totally unpredictably. Why is it that these fluctuations occur? And is there anything that we can do about them?
The Simple Answer
The simple answer is that internet speeds rise and fall because internet service is complicated. Internet service providers (ISP), local setups, network traffic, and dozens of other factors all play a role in your perception of network speeds. Even a single fault point in any of these interconnected nodes can wreak havoc on your internet experience – and cause you to suffer from inconsistent hiccups, even when everything else is functioning properly.
The More Complicated Answer
If you’re looking for more specific details, understand that internet speeds can fluctuate based on the following and more:
· Plan limitations. First, understand that some of your internet speed woes might be related to limitations in your current service plan. If you’re paying for a limited amount of bandwidth, and you start pushing the limits of that service package, everyone on your network might suffer from slower or less consistent speeds. You can use an internet speed test to see how much download and upload speed you’re currently getting – and compare that to what you “should” be getting as part of your plan. The easy fix here is to upgrade your plan, so you have access to more speed and bandwidth.
· Total traffic. Total network traffic plays a role in influencing internet speeds for every user on the network. During peak times, when service providers might have millions of people to serve, network congestion can bog things down. Conversely, during off hours, you might enjoy surprisingly quick speeds.
· Local traffic. Network congestion can also happen locally. If you have many devices connected to your network simultaneously, or if those devices are all using a lot of bandwidth simultaneously, it can overburden your connection and cause slowdowns for everyone involved.
· Infrastructure problems. Internet infrastructure isn’t always conducive to consistent service. Even a single, relatively minor infrastructural issue can cause outages or interruptions for millions of people. For example, downed lines, bad weather, and natural disasters can render service providers unable to provide consistent service.
· Distance from router. If you’re curious about why your speed has dropped or why you’ve suffered an interruption, determine how far you are from your router. If you’re a great distance away, or if there are significant obstacles between you and the router, that might be the root cause of the issue. Moving closer to the router, or moving the router to a superior location could help you see better download and upload speeds throughout your household.
· Device issues. Note that certain hardware issues can also play a role in shaping your perception of internet speeds. For example, if you haven’t updated your device in a while, it might be performing suboptimally, rendering it incapable of operating at peak efficiency. If it’s infected with malware, you might see symptoms manifest in the form of slower downloads or laggier connections overall.
· Third party issues. Sometimes, the problem is unrelated to you or your internet service provider. If there’s a significant third party outage, it can cause catastrophic problems for any users of that service. For example, Google is typically very reliable, but even its services have suffered from eight outages. You can always test for a third party issue by visiting multiple different websites.
Making a More Consistent Experience
How can you ensure a more consistent online experience?
· Review your plan details. Take a look at your service package details. What speed should you be getting? Are you getting it consistently? Do you need more bandwidth to do everything you need to do?
· Correct local issues. Investigate local issues and troubleshoot them whenever possible. Have you updated the devices on your network? Have you tried moving your router to get a more consistent connection? Are there any obstacles preventing you from achieving a strong connection?
· Have a backup plan. If you continue struggling with variations in your internet speed, consider investing in a backup plan. For example, you can purchase a mobile hotspot or use your phone as a mobile hotspot via tethering; this way, even if your primary service goes down, you’ll be able to achieve a reasonable connection.
You can’t control every factor that influences the ups and downs of your internet connection. However, there are some factors that you can control quite easily. If you’re willing to make a proactive effort and potentially make some changes, you can create a much smoother, faster online experience for yourself.
