What is Bandwidth? 6 Tips to Increase Bandwidth

Bandwidth is the total amount of data a network can process in a specific time. Bandwidth determines the number of devices and total activity that your network can support.

As you connect more devices and run data-intensive activities on your home network, more bandwidth is used. Eventually, your network might experience increased slowdowns, lag, and buffering.

Compared to other internet technologies, fiber internet provides significantly greater bandwidth. With better bandwidth, you can keep your household connected and running smoothly so everyone can game, stream, and use their devices without lag or slowdown.

Significance of Bandwidth

Bandwidth is essential since it determines your network’s ability to support multiple devices. For households with multiple users, bandwidth is crucial to ensure everyone’s online experience is smooth and speedy.

Imagine bandwidth like a highway where data zooms back and forth like speeding cars. The wider the highway, the more cars (data) can travel at once.

Every device that connects to your network is like another car entering this highway. Eventually, if too many cars are on the road, things will get congested and slow down.

Fiber internet can provide significantly larger bandwidth than cable, 5G, or satellite internet. With a 1 Gbps plan from Tachus, you can support up to 90 devices simultaneously!

How does Bandwidth affect your internet usage?

Bandwidth plays a big role in determining the speed and smoothness of your online activities, especially if you’re using multiple devices.

Stream without Stuttering

HD and 4K streaming require plenty of bandwidth to quickly transfer the large amounts of data used to achieve high-quality video. Bandwidth helps to reduce buffering, pixelation, and slowdowns while streaming. Plus, if you’re browsing the web on your phone or laptop, you can scroll and stream without stuttering.

Lag-free Gaming

Bandwidth is a gamer’s best friend, especially in a household with multiple players online. If you’re gaming, chatting with your friends, and streaming your gameplay, you’ll need plenty of bandwidth for a lag-free experience. Fiber internet provides gamers enough bandwidth to stomp the competition while comfortably supporting connected devices and accessories. 

Business without Buffering

The last impression you want to make during an online interview, project presentation, or call with a client is a stuttering, glitchy buffer face. Fortunately, fiber internet provides plenty of bandwidth so you can put your best face forward when doing business online. Plus, you can transfer large project files while conducting business seamlessly.

Bandwidth vs. Speed

While bandwidth and internet speed seem similar, the two concepts differ.

Bandwidth measures the capacity of your network and determines the amount of data that can be processed in a given time.

Internet speed measures the rate or how fast the data travels from sender to receiver.

Going back to our highway example, bandwidth represents the size of the highway, while internet speed is how fast the cars are moving along it.

The two go together, and as capacity is used up, the download speed starts to slow down. And as more capacity becomes available, download speeds increase.

What does Low Bandwidth mean?

Low bandwidth indicates when your network’s capacity is starting to reach its limit. This results in slower internet speed and reduced performance for your devices connected to the internet. Low bandwidth can be caused by:

–                Network Congestion: High traffic to a network or online service can lead to lower bandwidth and longer wait times for users.

–                Number of users: If too many devices are connected to the same network,  the available bandwidth can be entirely used up and cause slowdowns.

–                Connection type: Your bandwidth can largely be determined by your internet technology. Connections over cable, 5G, or satellite will always have lower bandwidth than fiber optic. 

How is Bandwidth measured?

Like internet speeds, bandwidth is measured in bits per second (bps). Thanks to the evolving technology, you’ll most commonly see bandwidth measured in megabits (Mbps) and gigabits (Gbps) per second.

Network engineers utilize several methods and technologies to measure bandwidth such as throughput and latency tests. 

How to Increase Bandwidth

If you’re looking to free up some bandwidth and improve internet performance quickly, try a few of these suggestions:

1.             Use a Wired Connection

Utilizing a wired connection for gaming consoles and smart TVs can quickly improve speeds and connection.

2.             Reboot your Router

Rebooting your router can help improve performance, clear cache, and resolve any temporary issues on your device.

3.             Remove devices from your network

Multiple devices can still use bandwidth while not actively in use. Background processes on your phone, computer, and smart TV can eat into bandwidth and cause a slowdown for your other devices.

4.             Utilize a Mesh Network

WiFi Mesh Devices can help eliminate dead zones and improve the quality of your connection throughout the home.

5.             Upgrade your Router

Routers, on average, last for around five years before needing an upgrade. Do you need a new router? Check out our blog on the warning signs of an outdated router. 

6.             Upgrade your Internet Plan

The fastest, most effective method to increasing bandwidth would involve upgrading your connection to a technology like fiber optic internet. Fiber internet provides significantly greater bandwidth and can support more concurrent users than cable, 5G or satellite.

More Bandwidth, Less Buffering with Tachus Fiber Internet

If you’re ready to say goodbye to low bandwidth and constant buffering, get connected with Tachus Fiber Internet today!

Experience the power of 100% pure fiber internet. Tachus offers unparalleled bandwidth ensuring blazing-fast speeds for streaming, gaming and browsing seamlessly.

Powered by symmetrical upload and download speeds, everyone in your home can connect simultaneously without sacrificing performance. Whether you’re attending virtual meetings, streaming 4K movies or gaming with your squad, Tachus provides the reliability you need.

Join over 50,000 satisfied customers who have made the switch to Tachus Fiber Internet.

Don’t settle for less – check your address and get Tachus today!