This is true regardless of provider, but when you test your Internet speed, if you see a huge drop off you may want to contact your provider and see if there is something going on – a bad modem, for instance, can limit your speeds. A 10 Mbps package, for example, means “ up to 10 Mbps,” so your average will be a little lower. Generally, the speed you are receiving will be a little slower than the advertised speed of the package you are paying for. That site uses a simple system to determine how fast your signal is, then it displays the results. The easiest way to test your current usage is to head over to a site like. Unless you are constantly providing content online (if so you should consider switching to business packages), your upload usage should pale in comparison to your download. This includes emails, posting videos, and more. Upload speeds determine the rate at which you can send information from your computer. It’s the measure in which you consume information online, which is why you’ll typically see Internet packages that greatly favor download versus upload speeds. That is what (partly) determines how quickly you receive information from the Internet. Knowing your speed – and if it is working for you or not – will help you understand what you need.ĭepending on your usage, download speed is going to be far and away the most important stat. For many of us, Internet speed is something we can’t easily equate because there’s no frame of reference.

It’s a good habit to get into to regularly test your Internet speed. In either case, it’s good to know where you stand, and what you need. Sure, faster is better, but do you really need a gigabit service? Do you need 100 Mbps?ĭeciding on which plan is right for you may be as simple as selecting the fastest option, or it may be more complicated than that. Internet speed is important, but many people don’t know exactly what that means. Gigabit speeds are even available in multiple areas, with more on the way. infrastructure is improving though, with more service options coming along than ever before. The top ranked country, South Korea, has an average of 25.3 Mbps.

is currently 12 th on the list of fastest countries. With the Internet though, speed is a little different.Īmerica is badly behind the curve when it comes to national Internet speed averages. We love the ability to go that fast, even if we never use it. Even with highway speed limits of 70 mph, cars are being built that can go double that off the factory floor. When it comes to things like speed, Americans love to go faster.

What is considered fast download speed