Did you know that according to an Itu.int report, in 2021, the world’s internet bandwidth usage “reached a worldwide total of 932 Tbit/s?” Now, you might be saying that’s pretty fast, but bandwidth isn’t the same as internet speed. So what is bandwidth, and what should be considered with bandwidth vs speed?
This guide takes you from zero to
hero about the difference between bandwidth and speed. Read on to better
understand what is bandwidth.
Comparing
Bandwidth vs Speed
Most internet users continue to use
internet speed and bandwidth interchangeably. In laments terms, bandwidth
measures how much data “can be transferred per
second over a network.”
Every website, online game, or
virtual document requires bandwidth. So even if you are a website developer or
designer, its important to understand the basics of measuring bandwidth.
Whether you are browsing sites for
the latest in fashion news or stock market rates, using an internet service
provider with good bandwidth can make browsing the internet highly enjoyable.
What
Can Impact Bandwidth?
While "bandwidth was originally
measured" in bits per second, today’s
expansive bandwidth rates are measured in more ways. It's also measured in
megabits per second, gigabits per second, and terabits per second. And when you
go beyond terabits, bandwidth is measured in petabits, exabits, zettabits, and
yottabits.
While most residential and commercial
users use terabits and gigabits for their bandwidth, some factors impact it.
- The number of devices using bandwidth: Most homes might have multiple computers or devices
hooked up to a modem for internet purposes.
- What the bandwidth is being used for: If you are downloading large files you will need a
large bandwidth input. And if someone else is checking their internet with
the same bandwidth, you might experience a slowdown in internet traffic.
- The distance from the router: The length of your Ethernet cable or WiFi connection
from your modem impacts bandwidth.
Regardless of your internet needs, a
fiber optics
internet package can help your home internet or business internet needs.
What
Is Network Speed?
Network speed is a simple way to
measure how quickly data transfers from one point to another. There are many
things along with the internet infrastructure that influences network speed.
- The actual connection type: There are more than a half dozen different ways to
connect the internet to your device. Wireless and Ethernet are two of the
most common ways to connect internet bandwidth.
- The presence of viruses: Viruses and malware greatly influence your network
speed.
- Software needs:
With more software switching to the online cloud, fast network speeds are
necessary to keep pace.
We recommend checking the different
internet speeds and bandwidth packages of an internet service provider before
you consider switching over and upgrading.
Further
Insight Into Bandwidth vs Speed
Hopefully, this guide helped you
understand better the difference between bandwidth vs speed. And if you are
ready to upgrade your bandwidth or network speed, we recommend opting for
fiber options.
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