Understanding internet speeds

In this article you will learn: what internet speeds mean, how they are measured and why the speed on an individual device may differ from your plan speed.

Internet speed describes how quickly data can travel between your home and the internet. Your plan represents the total connection available to your household—not the speed guaranteed to every device at every moment.

Speed is different from data usage. Speed measures how quickly data moves, while usage measures how much data is transferred.

Common internet-speed terms

• Mbps: Megabits per second. This is the most common measurement for internet speed.
• Gbps: Gigabits per second. One Gbps equals 1,000 Mbps.
• Download speed: How quickly your device receives information. This affects streaming, browsing and downloading files.
• Upload speed: How quickly your device sends information. This affects video calls, cloud backups and uploading files.
• Latency or ping: How quickly your connection responds, measured in milliseconds. Lower latency is better for gaming and video calls.

Why your results may differ from your plan speed

Bolt plans are described as providing speeds of “up to” the speed listed. Actual performance can be affected by:

• Whether you connect using Wi-Fi or Ethernet
• Your distance from the router
• Walls, appliances and wireless interference
• The age and capabilities of your device
• Several devices using the connection at once
• The website, app or server you are connecting to
• Internet congestion, maintenance or outages

Wi-Fi speeds are usually lower than speeds measured using a wired Ethernet connection. Even on a gigabit plan, an older phone, computer or Ethernet adapter may not support the plan’s full speed.

How to interpret a speed test

1. 1
   Check the download speed to understand how quickly you can receive data.
2. 2
   Check the upload speed to understand how quickly you can send data.
3. 3
   Check the latency or ping to understand how responsive the connection is.
4. 4
   Compare wired and Wi-Fi results to determine whether the internet connection or your home Wi-Fi is affecting performance.