Internet Speed, Connectivity & Networking
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Accurate Internet Speed Testing: Know Your Real Speed
Before you can fix a problem, you need to measure it. Running an internet speed test is the first step to understanding your current performance.
Why Test?
An internet speed test measures your current download speed, upload speed, and latency (ping), comparing it to what your Internet Service Provider (ISP) promises or what your NBN speed tier should deliver.
Run a Test Now:
Use a reliable tool to get accurate results.
Tips for Accurate Testing:
- Connect directly to your modem/router via Ethernet cable if possible for the most accurate results.
- Perform a Wi-Fi speed test separately to check wireless performance.
- Close bandwidth-heavy applications and disconnect other devices.
- Run the speed test multiple times at different times of the day.
Decoding Your Speed Test Results: Download, Upload, Latency & Jitter Explained
Download Speed:
Measured in Megabits per second (Mbps). This is how quickly your connection can retrieve data from the internet (e.g., loading websites, streaming video, downloading files). Higher is generally better.
Upload Speed:
Also in Mbps. This is how quickly your connection can send data to the internet (e.g., sending emails with attachments, video conferencing, uploading photos, online gaming).
Latency (Ping):
Measured in milliseconds (ms). This is the reaction time of your connection – how quickly you get a response after sending out a request. Lower latency is crucial for online gaming, video calls, and real-time applications.
Jitter:
Measured in milliseconds (ms). This measures the variation in your latency over time. High jitter causes disruptions in streaming and calls (e.g., robotic voices, buffering). Consistent, low jitter is ideal.
What is a Good Internet Speed?
It depends on your usage:
- Basic browsing/email: 10–25 Mbps download
- HD streaming/video calls (1–2 users): 25–50 Mbps download
- 4K streaming/online gaming/multiple users: 50–100+ Mbps download
- Heavy use/large households/businesses: 100 Mbps+ download, with adequate upload speed (10–40+ Mbps)
Troubleshooting Slow Internet: Common Fixes & Tips
Restart Your Hardware:
The classic “turn it off and on again” often works. Power cycle your modem and router (unplug, wait 30 seconds, plug back in).
Optimise Router Placement:
Place your router in a central, open location, away from obstructions (walls, metal objects, microwaves). Elevate it if possible.
Test Wired vs Wireless:
Connect a device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable. If the wired speed is significantly faster than the Wi-Fi speed, the issue lies with your Wi-Fi setup.
Update Router Firmware:
Manufacturers release updates to improve performance and security.
Check Your Connections:
Ensure all cables (coaxial, Ethernet, phone line for ADSL) are securely plugged in and undamaged.
Reduce Wi-Fi Interference:
Change your Wi-Fi channel, update router firmware, and minimise the number of devices competing for bandwidth. Consider a dual-band or tri-band router.
Check for Bandwidth Hogs:
Are background downloads, streaming services, or specific devices consuming all the bandwidth?
Check Connection Stability:
Sometimes the issue isn’t speed but stability. Look for dropped connections.
Navigating NBN Plans & Speed Tiers in Australia
NBN Technology Types:
Your location determines the NBN technology available (FTTP, FTTN, FTTC, HFC, Fixed Wireless, Sky Muster Satellite), which impacts maximum potential speeds.
NBN Speed Tiers:
ISPs offer plans based on NBN speed tiers, indicating the maximum wholesale speed. Common tiers include:
- NBN 12 (Basic): Suitable for minimal use
- NBN 25 (Standard): Good for 1–2 users, SD/HD streaming
- NBN 50 (Standard Plus): The most popular choice, suitable for families, HD/4K streaming, gaming
- NBN 100 (Premium): Ideal for heavy users, multiple 4K streams, large downloads, demanding applications. Often comes with 20 Mbps or 40 Mbps upload options.
- NBN 250 / NBN 1000 (Superfast/Ultrafast): Available primarily for FTTP and some HFC connections, offering significantly higher speeds.
Choosing the Right Tier:
Consider your household size, usage habits (streaming, gaming, working from home), and budget. Don’t pay for speed you don’t need, but don’t bottleneck yourself with a tier that’s too slow.
NBN Speed Test:
Use speed tests regularly to ensure you’re getting speeds close to your plan’s tier, especially during peak hours.
Choosing the Right Networking Gear: Routers, Modems, Mesh Wi-Fi & Extenders
Modem vs Router:
- Modem: Connects your home to your ISP’s network (e.g., NBN Connection Box, Cable Modem, ADSL Modem).
- Router: Shares the internet connection with your devices via Wi-Fi and Ethernet ports, manages local network traffic. Many ISPs provide a combined modem/router gateway unit.
Upgrading Your Router:
An old or basic router can bottleneck even a fast internet connection. Look for routers supporting newer Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5/802.11ac, Wi-Fi 6/802.11ax) for better speed and capacity.
Mesh Wi-Fi Systems:
Ideal for larger homes or areas with Wi-Fi dead spots. Use multiple nodes to create a single, seamless Wi-Fi network with wide coverage.
Wi-Fi Extenders (Repeaters):
A cheaper alternative to mesh, extenders rebroadcast your existing Wi-Fi signal. Can be effective but may halve the available bandwidth through the extender.
Setup Guides & Reviews:
Research reputable brands and models based on your home size, number of devices, and internet plan speed.
Understanding Key Networking Concepts
Throughput:
The actual amount of data successfully transferred over a period, which can be lower than the theoretical bandwidth due to factors like network congestion, latency, and hardware limitations. Your speed test measures throughput.
Wi-Fi Standards:
Generations of Wi-Fi technology (e.g., 802.11n, 802.11ac/Wi-Fi 5, 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7). Newer standards offer faster speeds, better range, and improved handling of multiple devices.
Ethernet vs Wi-Fi:
Ethernet (wired connection) generally provides faster, more stable speeds and lower latency than Wi-Fi (wireless). Ideal for stationary devices like PCs, game consoles, and smart TVs where possible.
Bandwidth:
The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a connection in a given amount of time, usually measured in Mbps.
Bits and Bytes: Understanding Data Units (KB, MB, GB)
Bit (b):
The smallest unit of data. Internet speeds are measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) or Gigabits per second (Gbps).
Byte (B):
Typically 8 bits. File sizes and data storage are usually measured in Bytes (e.g., Kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB), Terabytes (TB)).
Conversion:
- 1 Byte (B) = 8 bits (b)
- 1 Kilobyte (KB) = 1,024 Bytes
- 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1,024 Kilobytes
- 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,024 Megabytes
Why it Matters:
Knowing the difference helps you understand download times (e.g., a 100 MB file downloading on a 100 Mbps connection takes ~8 seconds, not 1 second) and data caps on mobile or satellite plans.