- One of the primary reasons that can affect your internet speed is being subscribed to the wrong plan.
- Another factor that can affect your internet connection speed is your mode to connect to it. Those who are using a wireless connection may experience less to frequent throttled speed.
- Network congestion can also affect your internet’s speed. If there are several users connected to the line at the same time, then you will notice your internet speed slowing down.
When signing up for an internet plan, the first thing you expect is to get access to a fast and reliable connection. However, there are just instances wherein your connection suddenly becomes unstable, or your NBN speed slows down.
Internet speed also impacts your experience when watching movies or playing games online, as a slower connection will make these activities a little less fluid and enjoyable. Here are some of the factors that may affect your internet speed.
You are subscribed to a wrong plan
One of the primary reasons that can affect your internet speed is being subscribed to the wrong plan. For instance, if several heavy internet users are in your household, an NBN plan under the standard speed tier may not be sufficient.
If you are subscribed to a standard speed NBN plan, then it might be time for you to upgrade. Keep in mind that a standard speed NBN plan is the best choice for households with moderate internet users or those with less than three (3) internet users.
If you are only interested in basic internet usage for email and social media, with no streaming of movies or downloading large files, you could get away with the NBN12 speed tier. This speed is sufficient for NBN12 plans with unlimited data, which can be very cost-effective when bundling it with NBN™.
If you want to stream movies and TV shows, the NBN25 speed tier is the fastest available speed at NBN retailers. nbn25 plan does not have unlimited data, so consider making use of NBN™ unlimited data NBN™. NBN25 is also suitable for households with more than three (3) internet users or those who make constant use of the internet for streaming movies and TV shows.
If you are on NBN50 or NBN100, then congratulations! You should have a connection suitable for heavy streaming of movies and TV shows. NBN50 is fast enough for average households of four to five internet users.
Popular NBN Plans
| NBN Providers | NBN Plan | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
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NBN Unlimited Belong Standard Plus broadband plan on the NBN™ |
$70/Month |
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NBN Standard Plus (nbn50) Unlimited Dodo broadband plan |
$75/Month |
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NBN The 50 (nbn50) Uniti Wireless NBN™ Broadband Plan |
$79.95/Month |
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NBN Optus Internet Everyday NBN™ Bundle Plan |
$79/Month |
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NBN Unlimited Everyday nbn™ Aussie Broadband plan - Standard Plus Speed |
$79/Month |
You are using a wireless connection
Another factor that can affect your internet connection speed is your mode to connect to it. Those who are using a wireless connection may experience less to frequent throttled speed. This can be attributed to several factors, such as the position of your router or your proximity to it.
For example, if your router is located in a closed area or there is too much interference in the signal, you may not acquire the speed you need. This is also the case if you are far from the router. You may experience unstable connections as well.
On the other hand, if you use a local area network cable, you can expect to achieve a faster speed in your connection. It’s also a great way to test if the problem is with your provider and not the hardware.
Network congestion
Network congestion can also affect your internet’s speed. If there are several users connected to the line at the same time, then you will notice your internet speed slowing down. This is the reason why certain NBN plans publish a typical evening speed that is a little lower than their advertised speed.
However, there are already NBN providers that offer congestion-free plans. This means you can enjoy the speed advertised in your plan even during peak hours without compromising on quality.
Data allowance
Your plan’s data allowance can also affect the speed of your internet. Even if you are subscribed to a plan with unlimited data, your provider can still limit your connection if they detect that you’re using too much bandwidth already, particularly during peak hours.
If you have a fixed data plan, you will notice your connection slowing down as you near your data limit.
Hence, it is good practice to monitor your data usage. This will be particularly beneficial if you are a heavy internet user because you will have a good insight into your already used bandwidth.
Hardware and software
Your hardware and equipment (your router and modem) and the software that is running it can also have a significant impact on your internet speed. If your hardware is outdated, it may no longer be capable of supporting the fast speed of your plan. The NBN™ network is capable of delivering connection speeds up to 100 Mbit/s down and 40 Mbit/s up, but it is the capability of your equipment that will determine how fast you can get on NBN. Similarly, outdated firmware or software can also affect your internet speed.
For this reason, it is a good idea to routinely check your router and modem. This is not just a matter of checking whether or not you have a fast NBN plan, but it also means checking your devices and ensuring that they are still powerful enough to facilitate high-speed connections.
You should also take the time to run the updates in the firmware to ensure that all the patches are installed properly. This way, you will maximise the speed of the plan you are subscribed to.
The Bottomline
Several things can affect the speed of your internet connection, such as the plan you are subscribed to, the connection you are using, your data allocation, and hardware and software.
Internet speed is generally measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This means how fast you can receive data over the internet. For example, a plan with 12Mbps will download files faster than a plan with 8Mbps.
So to prevent the hassle of switching plans, do your due diligence and research which plan best suits your needs and preferences. In doing so, you will eliminate one of the factors that can slow your internet speed down.
If you need help in finding the right internet plan for your home, call us up at Compare Broadband. Our experts can quickly assist you with any questions you may have.
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