What is Bandwidth? Bandwidth describes the maximum data transfer rate of a network or Internet connection. It measures how much data can be sent over a specific connection in a given amount of time.
Bandwidth is something we all have but not many know what it is. You know that you pay for it every month on your Internet Service Provider (ISP) bill or your cell phone bill. What is it really? And do you need more or less?
Have you ever worked with a water pipe? A water pipe is the best example to understand bandwidth. Imagine that the internet is the Ocean. The internet has a vast, resource of information and your internet connection is the way that you access it. It is much like having a small 1-inch connection for that huge ocean of information. Imagine trying to get all that water through your tiny 1-inch connection. This is how data moves through data pipes. The larger your pipe (bandwidth) the more you can get through. Internet speeds are based on how much bandwidth you can get through. ISP's base how they charge you on bandwidth. There are limits on how big your pipe is, and how much your pipe can transfer in a given period (such as a billing cycle). All of this relates to how fast your internet can be.
How to speed up your internet connection?
Or, in other words; How do you utilize all the bandwidth you are paying for? Internally in your home or office you have data
pipes. The bandwidth data pipe is what you agreed to pay for…for what data pipe they offer. For example; if you have a 100mb bandwidth this does not mean you will have that in all your internal pipes. Every single device that connects to your network has varying factors on how much bandwidth they get. Wired directly into the router gives the most bandwidth available, but a wireless access is reduced depending on the distance and interference from the router. To speed up your connection you must be certain of the specifications of all the devices on your network and they should meet or exceed the specifications of what you are paying for from your ISP. Upgrading your router to the latest technology fixes most bandwidth issues.
If you are unsure on how to do identify what is the cause of a slow network connection, Genie IT Services can provide network assessments for your home or business so you have a complete picture of what you need to properly use your network to the full potential.
