Beat the internet buffering blues with a speed test

 

 

Testing the speed of your internet connection is the first step to beating the buffering blues.

 

Life's too short to wait for a YouTube video to buffer. Your Fibre Internet connection is supposed to literally transmit data at the speed of light, so if you're having to watch your favourite series in 10-minute instalments or wait as-long-as-it-takes-to-make-a-cup-of-tea to download a normal human amount of email, something's up. Your starting point is an internet speed test to see how fast your devices are uploading and downloading information, and you can take remedial action from there.

 

What are we testing?

What exactly does an internet speed test measure? Well, essentially, internet speed refers to how quickly data is transferred from the internet to your device (download) or vice versa (upload).

 

Your line speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). You likely saw a number like 20/20 or 100/100 on your contract, which indicates the number of megabits per second you can download (the number before the slash) and upload (the number after the slash). The higher the numbers, the higher the speed your line is capable of, determined on a 'best effort' basis by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

 

Ookla Speed Test

Not all connections are created equal, so there are different ways to measure their speeds. The best way to check the speed is by using a free service like the Ookla speed test on your phone, tablet or computer. Ookla is one of the most popular speed-test services, and for good reason — it's simple to use and provides accurate results.

 

To perform an Ookla speed test, simply go to their website and click the 'Go' button. The test will take a few moments to run, and you'll be provided with your download and upload speeds.

 

Wi-Fi Speed Test

If you connect to your fibre line via a Wi-Fi connection — and most of us do — the speed of that connection can be affected by a number of factors. These include how far away you are from the router, the number of devices connected to the network, and interference from other electronic devices.

 

To accurately test your Wi-Fi speed, make sure you position your device close to the router and that no other devices are using the network at the time. Run the Ookla speed test and see how close the upload and download speeds are to your line's capability.

 

Broadband Speed Test

A broadband speed test is similar to a Wi-Fi speed test, but instead of measuring the speed of your Wi-Fi connection, it measures the speed of your fibre line. To perform a broadband speed test, connect your computer directly to your router using an ethernet cable, then run a speed test as usual.

 

Your ISP will tell you that this is the most accurate way to measure your line speed. You'll argue that you can't possibly plug all your devices into the router to get the best speed, so you'll have to find a compromise and investigate other ways to speed up your Wi-Fi connection if your broadband speed is close to what you're paying for.

 

Compare Fibre Deals with Hippo.co.za

If you're looking for the fastest internet speeds possible, fibre is the way to go. Check out the best prices on fibre deals from various providers on Hippo.co.za to find the one that's right for you. Simply visit Hippo.co.za to compare the best Fibre Internet deals.

 

Check Fibre in Your Area:

If you're not sure whether fibre is available in your area, Hippo.co.za can help with that too.

 

Buffering is so 2022

By following these simple steps, you can accurately measure your internet speed and find the fastest internet deals available. So go ahead, give it a try, and say goodbye to slow internet forever!

Call to Action 1: Ready to upgrade to fibre? Compare the best fibre internet deals on Hippo.co.za today.

Call to Action 2: Not sure if fibre is available in your area? Check fibre availability on Hippo.co.za and get blazing-fast internet in no time.

 

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or medical advice.