Join Ting Internet and get access to unlimited mobile service for $10/month
Ting customers can save $45 per month for each of your mobile lines — that's over $500 saved per year, per line!
Find your ideal internet speed with our bandwidth calculator quiz
Ever wonder if your internet speed is holding you back from getting the most out of your devices? With our easy-to-use bandwidth calculator quiz, you can quickly figure out the internet speed required to handle all your online activities seamlessly. Stop guessing and start optimizing your internet performance with our helpful quiz below!
- Can someone please explain the difference between bandwidth and speed in simple terms?
Between incorrect marketing jargon and confusing explanations, we agree it’s very confusing. In short:
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can theoretically be transferred per second. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This is the number internet providers advertise for their different packages.
Speed is the actual rate that data is being downloaded to or uploaded from your device. It’s also measured in megabits per second.
So bandwidth is the maximum capacity, and speed is the actual performance. It's designed to handle 20+ devices seamlessly, even when the whole family is using the internet heavily at the same time. - What type of connection offers the most bandwidth and fastest speeds?
Out of all internet connection types, fiber is by far the fastest. It can achieve the highest actual speeds (the record is an unbelievable 319,000,000 Mbps). Further, it offers the most bandwidth since its capacity is enormous—far more than we can use today. Think of your connection as an interstate highway and the data we send and receive while using the internet as cars. With fiber, it’s like there are thousands of lanes going in each direction (upload and download). With all these lanes, there will never be traffic jams, and the cars (data) can always travel at their maximum speed. Your actual speed (once you have the right equipment and a fiber-to-the-home connection like Ting Internet) is equal or near to the advertised bandwidth.
Other connection types like cable cannot offer bandwidths as high as fiber. Also, cable connections have far less capacity (fewer “lanes on the highway”). So just like a highway, when there’s lots of data being sent and received due to many people in your neighborhood or home being online, a traffic jam occurs. This results in actual speeds that are considerably lower than that maximum bandwidth number you’re expecting—and paying for. - How do I choose the bandwidth that’s right for me?
There are many factors that will determine how much bandwidth you’ll need, including (but not limited to) your typical online activities and the number of users and devices in your household. Our convenient bandwidth calculator will help you easily figure this out. As you now know, you’ll want to go with a fiber internet connection that runs fiber right to your home so that your actual day-to-day speeds mirror that bandwidth number. With Ting Internet, you’ll consistently get speeds up to 2,000 Mbps—perfect for streaming in 4K, no-lag gaming, smart-home connectivity and more no matter how many devices are being used. See if Ting is available in your neighborhood.
- How can I tell if I’m getting the speeds I’m paying for?
Ting has you covered here as well. Our accurate speed test gives you your actual download and upload speeds. Use a device wired to your router via Ethernet to get the speeds at your router, and run the test on a wirelessly connected device to see if your Wi-Fi setup needs upgrading.
