Did you know that the number of devices connected to your Wi-Fi can affect your Internet speed? This is due to bandwidth limitations, influenced by both the number of devices and what you do on them. Let’s explore what the typical household setup looks like.

You Have a Lot of Devices

On average, a typical US household has around 17 devices connected to the Internet. Yes, you read that right—17! These include everything from smartphones and laptops to smart TVs, gaming consoles, and a variety of smart home gadgets. With so many devices vying for bandwidth, it’s no wonder that our traditional Internet struggles to keep up with the demand.

But how did we get here? A recent statistic from Parks Associates has revealed that smartphones are now more prevalent and are frequently used concurrently with other devices like laptops, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. This simultaneous usage by multiple devices strains the available bandwidth, leading to potential slowdowns or interruptions in Internet speed and performance.

Your Devices Are Hogging Your Speed

Have you ever experienced your Internet inexplicably slowing down, causing frustration during streaming sessions or online gaming? These episodes often stem from bandwidth-intensive activities happening simultaneously across your network.

What is Bandwidth?

Bandwidth, in simple terms, refers to the amount of information your Internet connection can handle per second. Imagine your Internet connection as a pipe through which information flows. Bandwidth is like the width of this pipe—it determines how much information can flow through at once. So, even if the speed stays the same, a wider pipe (higher bandwidth) allows more data to flow smoothly. In essence, higher bandwidth levels ensure that your Internet can handle multiple activities at once without any hiccups, making your online experience seamless and enjoyable.

Your Bandwidth-Hogging Devices

  • Smart TVs are notorious for gobbling up bandwidth, especially when streaming high-definition or 4K content.
  • Streaming services like Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube can also be heavy users of bandwidth, especially when multiple devices are streaming simultaneously.
  • Video calls, whether for work or catching up with friends, are also data-intensive activities that contribute to the bandwidth crunch.
  • Online gaming, which requires a smooth and uninterrupted flow of data between your device and the game servers.

How To Feed Your Bandwidth-Hogging Devices and Experience Fast Internet?

So, what’s the solution to this bandwidth dilemma? Fiber Internet. Unlike traditional connections that can struggle with multiple devices, fiber Internet offers a wider data highway, ensuring smooth and seamless experiences across all your devices.

With fiber Internet, you won’t have to worry about devices slowing down your Internet or experiencing frustrating lags during your favorite shows or online gaming sessions. It’s the perfect harmony between the multitude of Internet-connected devices in your home and the bandwidth they crave.

Published: May 2, 2024