In today's digital age, the demand for high-speed internet is unparalleled. Whether you're streaming high-definition videos, enjoying uninterrupted online gaming sessions, or collaborating seamlessly with colleagues around the world, a dependable and swift internet connection is the bedrock that enables our digital pursuits. This is where Ting Internet steps in, giving you all you need to know about fast internet to make the best decision for you and your needs.
Internet can travel to devices using two different methods: Wi-Fi and Ethernet. While Wi-Fi is incredibly convenient, it does have its drawbacks. Perhaps the largest comes to the forefront when discussing Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet speed.
When you connect to the internet at home, at work or while visiting your local coffee shop, chances are you’re doing so using Wi-Fi. This wasn’t always the case, however. In the past, connecting to the internet required a wired connection—first with phone lines and then through Ethernet cables. While the benefits of Wi-Fi are obvious, the biggest trade-off is internet speed.
Those who want to reliably access the full potential of their fast internet choose a wired connection. Here’s why Ethernet is better when it comes to internet speed.
The first thing to understand is that the maximum speed quoted by your internet provider is (or at least should be) the speed that’s delivered to your modem. Whether you actually get that speed or something close to it on your devices depends on the connections between them and the modem. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why a wired connection is superior. With Ethernet, you’re creating a connection “straight to the source.”
An important consideration here is the quality Ethernet cable being used. As technology has developed, cables have been given different ratings. It’s currently recommended that internet users stick with cables that meet the Cat 6 standard (which theoretically supports 1,000 Mbps and above). If you have a very fast connection, like Ting’s gigabit fiber internet, it’s best to go with a minimum of Cat 6a, which supports up to 10,000 Mbps.
The second thing to consider is the length of your cable. This won’t be a problem for most people, as cables generally are rated up to 328 feet. However, if for some reason you’re using a cable that exceeds that length, you may experience some slowdown.
The wireless nature of Wi-Fi that makes it so convenient is also what makes it less desirable in the Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet speed discussion. The source of your Wi-Fi will be one of two things—a modem with built-in router or a separate wireless router that connects to your modem using Wi-Fi. If it’s the latter, that connection is already a potential source of speed loss, so make sure the Ethernet cable is rated high enough to handle your internet’s maximum speed.
The main culprit responsible for speed losses is often the router itself. If you’re using an older router, chances are it may not be able to support particularly fast internet speeds. A good rule of thumb is to always use a router that supports speeds higher than your maximum bandwidth, like Ting Whole Home Wi-Fi.
There’s more to it than that, but we won’t bore you with pages worth of tech talk. To give you an example, though, Ting Internet uses routers that support over twice our maximum speed of 1,000 Mbps. Also, with features like multiple internal antennae and automatic bandwidth distribution to multiple devices, you won’t experience drastic slowdowns when multiple devices are online (which happens with many routers).
Then there’s the unavoidable fact that wireless signals are very susceptible to disruption. As distance increases, the quality of the signal decreases, resulting in slower speeds and dropouts. Physical barriers (objects, walls, etc.) also degrade signal quality. Then there’s electrical interference from all the devices and appliances in and around your house. In short, even in the best cases, there will be some level of speed loss using Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet.
Want to figure out the true internet speed at your modem vs. Wi-Fi speeds? Just use Ting’s highly accurate online speed test. First, connect your computer directly to your modem or router using an Ethernet cable, and run the test. Then, give the test a try while connected wirelessly. As you get further away from the router, chances are you’ll see that speed dropping. And in areas of your home where connection gets spotty, you can bet the speed will be especially low.
Slow internet connection can be a real struggle. It's important to know what kind of internet speeds you require for the activities you enjoy online.
With so much of our daily lives taking place online, a slow internet connection can be a real struggle. Whether you're trying to stream the latest episode of your favorite TV show, download an important document for work, or join a video call with family or colleagues, a slow internet connection can make these tasks incredibly frustrating. It's important to know what kind of internet speeds you require for the activities you enjoy online.
If you're not sure where to start, our speed test is a great tool to help you determine your current internet speed and whether it's fast enough for your needs.
Poor video call quality
If you often have trouble hearing the other person, or if you're frozen a lot, your internet connection might be the problem.
Slow streaming
If your movie night is ruined by the dreaded buffering wheel, you have a slow internet connection. With Ting Internet, you can enjoy buffer-free streaming with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.
Online gaming
When it comes to online gaming, lag (the delay between your input and a game or app responding) is the bane of any gamer’s existence. Interestingly, online gaming doesn't require a high sustained download or upload speed, but it is reliant on two attributes—ping and its close cousin jitter. With the reliability of fiber, you surely won't get bumped offline in the middle of that crucial campaign or intense multiplayer battle.
Now that you know what slow internet speeds look like, it’s time to put your internet to the test. Take our internet speed test and find out if your connection can keep up.
Our speed test measures your internet's ping (how quickly a data signal travels from one device to another one) as well as your download and upload speeds. Once you open the link, press “Go” to start the test, and the tool will do the rest! You can run the test as many times as you like to see if the speeds vary at different times of the day, depending on how many people in your area are using the internet at a particular time. Just make sure you are hard-wired as connections over Wi-Fi tend to be slower and less reliable and therefore won’t yield the most accurate results.
To calculate your download speed, your computer will attempt to download a file from our test server. As the download completes, the speed of that task will be measured. With upload speed, the same thing happens in reverse: your computer will try to upload a file to the test server.
Understanding your speed test results
Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). When it comes to download speed, the higher the number is, the faster your internet speed should be as you stream and browse.
The “correct” number will depend on your plan. If your ISP promises up to 40 Mbps and you're seeing numbers around 35 Mbps consistently, that's within a good range. But if your ISP promises 100 Mbps and you're getting 35 Mbps, you might want to contact your ISP to see what's going on.
Finally, the lower your ping number on these results, the better. Lower ping means less lag, giving you a better video call and gaming experience.
Looking for a better understanding of internet speed test results? We break down the mysteries of download speeds, upload speeds, bandwidth and much more.
You can tell a lot about your internet plan and what it offers by running a quick speed test. And when you see your results, you’ll notice some internet jargon, like ping and jitter, with numbers next to them. If you’re unsure about what those results really mean, you’ll want to read on. We’re here to break down the mysteries of what internet speed test results really mean. Plus you’ll get to find out what kind of internet speeds can lead to a smooth streaming experience.
First, let’s look at some terms you’ll see—an internet speed test glossary if you will.
Download speed
This determines how fast you can receive data, which includes viewing websites and streaming music. When you’re downloading that new app or game, a higher download speed means you’ll get it onto your device faster. Faster speeds also allow you to stream high-quality media with fewer interruptions.
Upload speed
This is how fast you can send data, like photos or documents. Sending those work files, posting videos online and transmitting your side of a FaceTime call all benefit from fast upload speeds.
Ping
Measured in milliseconds (ms), ping refers to how long it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to the provider's server and receive a response. High ping can result in lag and is usually caused by network congestion at the service provider level.
Jitter
Jitter refers to the variability in your high and low ping and is best kept low to avoid lag. Jitter is not really noticeable when reading text, but high jitter can result in buffering and other interruptions during gaming or streaming.
Mbps
Standing for megabits per second, 1 megabit is 1 million bits of information. This is a standard measure of internet speed—not to be confused with megabytes (MB), which is a measure of size rather than bandwidth.
The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection in a given time, bandwidth is typically measured in bits per second (bps). A higher bandwidth means that more data can be transmitted at once, resulting in a smoother online experience.
If you’d like to get into more detail with these definitions, you should definitely check out our help center where we offer more examples to help you understand the numbers you see on your screen.
Your ideal internet speed depends on what you plan to do online. Some people can get away with fewer Mbps, while others may need more. Let’s break it all down.
*Ting Internet’s 1,000 Mbps plan is designed to handle 40+ devices seamlessly, even when your entire family uses the internet at the same time.
Ting Internet is fiber optics from A to Z. Whereas other providers may use aging copper wiring for their internet service, fiber is faster and significantly more stable because it’s purpose-built for the internet!
Most other internet providers offer an asymmetrical connection—that's where uploading is significantly slower than downloading. For example, 25 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up is a common plan. Your ability to send information out is (in this example) five times slower than your ability to receive information.
Ting offers symmetrical Gigabit:
Symmetrical = the same download speed as upload speed
Gigabit = 1,000 Mbps
Ting plans = 1,000 Mbps download and 1,000 Mbps upload
Everyone uses the internet differently, so there's no one correct answer here. In general, though, your internet connection is shared by everyone in your house, and each device that connects to it affects the speed for everyone else. One key benefit of a gigabit connection is that multiple devices can each be doing bandwidth-intensive tasks at the same time without bogging each other down.
Joey could be downloading a 50GB PlayStation 4 game and Ross watching YouTube in 4K on his high-end desktop computer while Chandler, Rachel and Phoebe are each watching HD Netflix movies on their own tablets. Even if Monica is on a video conference call with her parents with a large cooking video uploading in the background, each wouldn't slow down the other because of the large amount of bandwidth available with fiber.
A reliable fiber internet connection is essential for a great online gaming experience, seamless streaming and improved business operations. Ting fiber internet offers just that—lightning-fast speeds and stability that won't let you down.
What is a good upload speed? Exact numbers depend on your needs but for the best upload performance symmetrical fiber internet like Ting is your best bet.
When companies advertise their maximum internet speeds, not everyone realizes they’re referring to their download speeds. Often—especially with cable internet—the upload speed is considerably slower. (At Ting, our upload and download speeds are equally lightning-fast. But more on that later!) “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. “Isn’t download speed the one that counts?” Actually, a good upload speed is critical to fast internet and a healthy connection. Here’s why.
You may have heard the opinion that the majority of people need high download speeds and that upload speeds aren’t as important. At Ting, we tend to disagree. The idea that upload speed is only important for a small fraction of “power users” is inaccurate. In the early days of the internet, this may have held true, as most of us were almost exclusively downloading data—first simply browsing and then consuming media as well. However, the internet has of course evolved.
Communications like video chat require considerable uploading. Working remotely, sharing creative exploits and social media do as well. And don’t forget—now that so many apps, productivity tools and storage options exist in the cloud, uploading is something to consider there as well. Are you a gamer, or do you have one in the home? Then you’ll know slow upload speeds for an online gamer spell disaster.
So, in a word, yes— good upload speed is important. It’s important for gaming, fast cloud storage, photo sharing, communications and more. Basically, it’s important for pretty much everything we do online these days.
Let’s put your connection to the test. Just open this speed test and hit “Go.” First, you’ll get a download speed, followed by an upload speed. In most cases, even with so-called “fast internet,” those speeds probably have a pretty big gap. You’ll also notice ping, which measures how long it takes your computer to send and receive a small data packet, and jitter, which measures how much your ping varies.
Now that you know a slow upload speed is no bueno, what’s the solution? A symmetrical download/upload internet connection, of course.
As we’ve established, upload speed is extremely important. Adding files to Google Drive, syncing your photos to iCloud, emailing, messaging and video chatting all rely on uploads. With fast downloads but sluggish uploads, you may receive that work file or cloud-based application project quickly, but your efficiency will suffer greatly when it’s time to send anything.
Ting offers symmetrical gigabit internet. That means your downloads and uploads have a maximum speed of 1,000 Mbps. The results? Buffer-free HD (yes, even 4K) video streaming no matter how many people are online; smooth, crystal-clear video calls (especially when your friends have internet as amazing as yours); no-lag, low-ping gaming to help keep that unbeaten streak; and file uploads (even large ones) in seconds.
When upgrading to high speed internet a common question is, “How fast should I go?” Find out the main things to consider when choosing an internet package.
A few years ago, a non-power user could get by with internet speeds below 100 Mbps. Due to the reality of today’s online experience, high-speed internet is a must for a usable online experience. Now, the question is: What is good high-speed internet? What should you look out for when choosing your fast internet service provider, package and bandwidth? Here are some tips on picking a high-speed internet provider and package that’s right for you.
First things first—always go with fiber. Fiber-optic internet is the internet of the future here today. In fact, it’s one of the few technologies that is actually agreed to be “future proof.” Because its bandwidth potential is so much greater than the speeds that currently exist, fiber connections will be able to handle speeds we can’t even conceive of right now.
You may notice some cable internet providers advertising gigabit speeds (which are usually associated with fiber). While there are now specifications and protocols that allow gigabit and higher speeds through cable, it cannot be compared to fiber.
Unlike fiber, these cable packages are usually not symmetrical (uploads are slower than downloads). As with all cable internet, its bandwidth (the amount of data it can handle at one time) is limited, so if there are many people online in your home, or even your neighborhood, you are likely to experience slowdowns. Also, cable internet is far less reliable than fiber, in part due to being susceptible to electrical and weather interference.
One of the most common questions from customers upgrading to a faster internet connection is, “How fast is fast enough?”
Our short reply? “As fast as your budget allows.” The reason for this recommendation is simple. Just like high-speed internet was a luxury a few years ago but is now a requirement for a reasonable online experience, a gigabit connection will soon be a necessity to harness the growing power of the internet. If it’s in your budget, becoming an early adopter means you’ll enjoy an incredible online experience now and not have to worry about upgrading for years to come.
Our long reply? There’s simply nothing like gigabit fiber internet. At 1,000 Mbps, Ting internet can handle 40+ devices seamlessly, even if the whole family is engaged in data-intensive activities like high-definition streaming, video conferencing, gaming and the like. Large uploads and downloads take place in mere seconds—great for working, learning and other types of productivity. For remote workers/telecommuters, entrepreneurs, students, gamers and large families, gigabit internet is a game changer.
If gigabit fiber isn’t available where you live, we suggest not getting anything under 200 Mbps. While you won’t get the lightning-fast transfers and bandwidth capabilities of gigabit internet, you’ll avoid most of the buffering and slowdown issues you may get with slower speeds during heavy internet use.
We mentioned symmetrical internet earlier—internet that offers upload speeds equal to its download speeds. Many “fast internet” packages, especially non-fiber ones, will advertise a certain bandwidth speed that actually refers to maximum download speed, while maximum upload speed is considerably lower. Those companies will claim that “it’s the download speed that really counts.” With the way we use the internet today, this is simply not true. When it comes to speed, upload capabilities are just as important as download ones. Always choose a provider and package that offers symmetrical speeds. At Ting Internet, a symmetrical 1,000 Mbps connection means that your uploads (video conferencing, gaming, uploading to the cloud, etc.) are as lightning fast as your downloads.
All fiber internet is not created equal. The best type of fiber connection is fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), also known as fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP). What this means is that from your service provider all the way up to your modem, your connection solely consists of fiber-optic cable. Other connections may use copper cable in the “home stretch.” This brings with it the bandwidth limitations and reliability issues of cable and may result in speeds lower than expected. That’s why Ting Internet uses only FTTH connections.
Is your internet connection slower than it should be? If you can’t upgrade right now, you may be able to speed up your internet with these techniques.
There are few things more frustrating than a slow or unstable internet connection. Ting Internet offers lightning-fast 1,000 Mbps internet with the reliability of fiber, so as a customer you’ll never have that issue. However, if you’re not quite ready to upgrade your internet, we have good news: Chances are you can actually somewhat improve the speed and reliability of your current internet connection. Some of the best ways to do this are to:
Before taking those steps to speed up your internet, however, you should get a clear idea of your connection’s health. This is easier than you think—it can be done in minutes using an online speed test!
To find out the true speeds you’re getting, all you need to do is take an online speed test. Ting has an extremely accurate speed test tool that will let you clearly see what your download and upload speeds are. If they’re considerably lower than the maximum bandwidth advertised in your package, then you’ll definitely want to look at some of the suggestions in this article. If you’re curious about the other terms, check out this help article. Now, let’s get those internet speeds up!
Your router is the connection point between the internet delivered from your service provider and your devices. As such, it’s the first possible point of slowdown. Make sure that your router can handle speeds up to (and preferably faster than) what your internet package advertises. If there are usually many devices connected at once, you may want to spend a bit more on a router designed to handle this.
Plugging your device directly into one of the Ethernet ports on the back of your router can speed up your internet. Wi-Fi is incredibly convenient, but due to hardware constraints, interference, distance, obstacles and many other factors, the reality is you’ll often lose speed through a wireless connection. Once you’re using a modern Ethernet cable with a maximum speed capability higher than that of your internet connection, you’ll get the highest speeds that your router and device allow. Of course, this isn’t possible with devices that don’t have Ethernet ports like mobile phones. (There are adapters available, but for most of us, that’s not very practical.)
As we’ve mentioned, all routers are not created equal. Many “fast internet” providers cut costs by offering sub-par routers with limited range and slow speeds. Ting Internet uses routers that support over twice our maximum speed of 1,000 Mbps and typically cover about 2500 square feet or so.Still, depending on the size and layout of your home, even the best router may not be able to provide a fast and reliable wireless connection throughout the entire area.
When this turns out to be the case, mesh kits are an increasingly popular option. They are made up of two or three devices that communicate with one another to provide an uninterrupted signal. The main unit is connected directly to your router or fiber converter box, while the remaining pieces are plugged into outlets around your home. They effortlessly pass the signal from node to node, almost like using several routers at once. You’ll find that always being close to a signal source will speed up your internet noticeably.
A mesh Wi-Fi system can provide you with a seamless experience as you wander through your home. Check out Ting’s Whole Home Wi-Fi which does all the work invisibly in the background and takes out all the guesswork for you, the user. They're controlled by iOS and Android apps, which check the signal between nodes and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. If you want more information about Wi-Fi, routers and mesh kits, we wrote an entire article about it here.
We’re all aware that electronics don’t age well. In the space of a few years, they either cannot take full advantage of current technologies and standards or become completely obsolete. One such technology we often overlook is Wi-Fi capabilities. Each new Wi-Fi standard allows for faster and more reliable wireless connections with a further range to support fast internet. However, older and entry-level devices often use dated or inferior Wi-Fi or Ethernet hardware, meaning that regardless of your internet connection speed, your device will limit the speeds you experience.
If you plan on buying a new device in the near future and plan on using Ethernet, look for devices that support gigabit Ethernet. As for Wi-Fi, the latest standard is Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax—for better wireless performance, you’ll want to make sure your new device supports it.
These additional factors can have a surprisingly large impact on your Wi-Fi speeds:
Wi-Fi band
Most modern routers have the option to choose between the standard 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and the faster 5 GHz network. Using the faster 5 GHz network can maximize your speeds. However, while 5 GHz is faster, it cannot travel as far. If your device(s) will be relatively close to the router, select the 5 GHz network for better speed performance.
Extensions
If you’ve installed various programs/apps or browser extensions, you can expect some of them to negatively impact your speeds. Take a look in your settings for apps or extensions running in the background; if you see one you barely use, uninstalling it may improve not just your internet speed, but your device’s overall performance. It is generally a good idea to regularly check your devices to monitor background activities and remove programs no longer in use. Be very careful that you correctly identify the suspected culprit(s) to avoid removing important system processes.
Rebooting
Lastly, remember to reboot your router and devices regularly—yes, we’re referring to the often-mocked, "Try turning it off and turning it back on again!" Find out how to properly and fully reset your router. This often involves unplugging it and waiting up to 30 seconds before plugging it in again. Meanwhile, a simple reset of your device is often enough to give it a much-needed fresh start.
Good question. If you’ve been able to speed up your internet considerably, videos will be smoother, downloads and uploads faster, and you’ll experience less buffering when streaming media or video chatting. However, the surefire way to know if there’s been a change—and by how much—is to use that handy online speed test.
Curious about which internet providers set data caps on plans? Find out how to enjoy unlimited internet without worrying about data limits or extra fees.
If you're on the hunt for a new internet service provider, it's important to remember that fast speed isn't the only factor to consider anymore. You also need to be aware of data caps, data limits, or bandwidth caps. These are limits that your internet service provider (ISP) puts on your internet usage, and they can be a real hassle and a hefty expense.
What are internet bandwidth caps?
Internet data caps are the limits that your internet provider sets on how much you can use the internet each month. So whether you're binge-watching Netflix or just scrolling through social media, everything you do on the internet uses up data. And if you use too much of it, you might end up hitting your limit.
These data caps are also known as ”fair use policies,” “monthly usage allowances,” or “bandwidth caps.” However, the term “bandwidth cap” is a bit misleading because most internet providers won't slow down your internet speed if you go over your limit. What usually happens is that your provider will give you a warning when you're getting close to your limit, and if you go over, you'll receive overage charges on your next bill.
Ting Internet doesn't believe in putting limits on the internet—it’s quite the opposite. Admittedly, it helps that we're building fiber networks with the future in mind, not protecting coax and copper networks built in the pre-internet days.
How much data do ISPs usually allow?
Some of the biggest internet providers have data caps on their plans. ISPs like Xfinity cap their data usage at 1.2 TB on most of their plans. When users exceed that 1.2 TB cap, the ISP will let it slide with two “courtesy months.” Next time, it's $10 per 50 GB over the cap up to a $100 monthly max. AT&T caps data at 1 TB, but you can get an unlimited data usage add-on for $30 per month.
Caps have had a chilling effect on internet use overall but, ironically, no demonstrable impact on network congestion. Caps are much more effective as a juicy profit center than a network load-balancing mechanism. This is simply a price hike. Revenue threatened by people upgrading from cable to streaming TV? There’s a cap for that.
The Xfinity FAQ goes to great pains to make the prospect of using more than 1.2 TB seem difficult, even laughable. According to OpenVault’s research, 9.4 percent of US customers with unlimited data used more than 1 TB a month, and 1.2 percent exceeded 2 TB. Without caps, 8.3 percent exceeded 1 TB and 0.9 percent exceeded 2 TB. Internet users have been conditioned to expect caps—to think of the internet as a scarce resource. That shouldn’t be. And it's important for internet providers to understand the diverse needs of their customers and offer plans that work for everyone regardless of their internet usage.
Some internet providers are limiting data usage and blaming it on so-called “bandwidth hogs.” They try to justify it by stating that a small number of users are using too much data. But the truth is, those “high-volume users” could be anyone, really.
How about a teenager who spends hours gaming or a family that's working and studying from home? It could even be a psychologist who has shifted to remote work and is now seeing patients online. And let's not forget about seniors with health care needs who rely on the internet for virtual consultations and appointments. The point is that these bandwidth caps affect all kinds of people, not just a select few "bandwidth hogs."
We could debate whether 1.2 TB in a month is a lot or a little, whether or not it's “enough.” The point is that we don’t think people should have to think about how much they’re using the internet. The internet is not a finite resource.
Limits are artificial and are just another tool used to shape behavior. There’s no nobility in using the internet less or in demanding less of your internet connection. Penalties for using the internet are not about fairness, no matter how much ISPs may try to position them as such.
As people rely on the internet more and more for education, work and play, we should be talking about how we can remove artificial limitations on the ways people use the internet. Not on how much limitation is right. Not when is an appropriate time to re-introduce limits.
Energy spent on positioning and justifying limitations is energy that could be better spent elsewhere. The collective we—as in Internet Service Providers—have a responsibility to meet the already underserved and ever-growing need for faster, more reliable internet access in America. Let's talk about that instead.
Our customers can use as much data as they want without worrying about hitting a cap and incurring additional charges. You get the freedom to use the internet however you want, whether it's streaming movies, playing online games or working from home. This can be especially important for households with multiple users or those who rely on the internet for work or school.
As you’ve probably realized by now, Ting Internet checks all the boxes for the best high-speed internet. Ting Internet offers an unbeatable choice for those seeking a fast and reliable internet connection. With unlimited data usage, you have the freedom to stream movies, play online games, or work from home without worrying about data caps or additional charges. Ting Internet provides incredibly fast 1,000 Mbps download and upload speeds, ensuring a seamless, symmetrical gigabit internet experience with the reliability of fiber-optic connectivity. Our advanced Whole Home Wi-Fi system eliminates slowdowns and ensures excellent wireless performance throughout your home. And, with plans designed to handle multiple devices simultaneously, Ting fiber internet is a perfect choice for households and businesses alike.
At the end of the day, great internet starts with a great internet connection. Discover if Ting Internet is available in your area and upgrade to future-proof, lightning-fast internet today.