Understanding internet speed: Test your knowledge!

With terms like bandwidth, Mbps and latency, understanding internet speed can be somewhat tricky. However, it's important to have a good understanding of internet basics if you want to select the best service provider and plan for your needs.

Are you up to speed on the latest internet lingo? Take this internet speed quiz to find out and learn more.

1. What does Mbps stand for?

1. Megabytes per second
2. Microbits per second
3. Megabits per second
4. Millibytes per second

Correct answer: C

Megabits per second, abbreviated as Mbps, is the unit used to measure internet upload and download speeds. It's sometimes confused with Megabytes per second, or MBps, which is a measurement of data storage.

2. What's the average internet speed in the U.S.?

1. 95 Mbps
2. 146 Mbps
3. 234 Mbps
4. 988 Mbps

Correct answer: B

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the average advertised speed of U.S. internet service providers was around 146.1 Mbps in 2021.

What's the fastest type of internet connection?

1. DSL
2. Cable
3. Fiber optic
4. Satellite

Correct answer: C

Fiber-optic internet, like Ting Internet, uses fiber-optic cables to transmit data using light and can achieve speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps). Cable connections usually have maximum speeds around 50 Mbps, and other types of service, like DSL and satellite, are even slower.

4. What is the difference between bandwidth and speed?

1. Network speed is the time it takes to send data from the source to its destination. Network bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred per second.
2. Network speedstrong> is the amount of data that can be transferred per second. Network bandwidthstrong> is the time it takes to send data from the source to its destination.
3. Network speedstrong> is the time it takes to send data from the source to its destination. Network bandwidthstrong> is how many devices can be used simultaneously.
4. There is no difference; they are interchangeable terms.

Correct answer: A

While network bandwidth and speed are related, they are two different concepts. Network speed is often compared to the speed of cars moving on a road, while bandwidth is the size of the road. With more lanes, more cars are able to travel on the road at the same time, and similarly, with higher bandwidth, more data can be transferred simultaneously.

5. What internet speed is required to stream a 4K movie on Netflix?

1. 5 Mbps
2. 10 Mbps
3. 15 Mbps
4. 20 Mbps

Correct answer: C

To stream 4K or ultrahigh-definition content on Netflix, the company recommends download speeds of at least 15 Mbps.

6. How long would it take to download a 20GB file on a 100 Mbps network?

1. 2.5 minutes
2. 6 minutes
3. 14 minutes
4. 28.5 minutes

Correct answer: D

With internet speeds of 100 Mbps, it would take more than 28 minutes to download a 20GB file.

7. How often should you replace your router?

1. Every year
2. At least every five years
3. At least every eight years
4. You never need to replace your router

Correct answer: B

Routers are used to connect computers and other mobile devices to your internet network. According to CNET, you should replace this device at least once every five years to maximize network performance.

8. What is the average latency on fiber internet networks?

1. 5 to 11 milliseconds
2. 20 to 34 milliseconds
3. 82 to 98 milliseconds
4. 150 to 175 milliseconds

Correct answer: A

In addition to boasting the fastest speeds, fiber-optic networks also have the lowest latency. According to the FCC, the average fiber latency is between 5 and 11 milliseconds (ms). Cable latencies, on the other hand, are often between 16 and 28 ms, and DSL latencies are between 21 and 61 ms.

Want to know how fast your connection is? Test your internet speed with Ting's speed test.