Sierra2023Archive

What is Bandwidth?

HOW DOES BANDWIDTH WORK? Analogy # 1 - The Freeway

WHICH INTERNET SPEED IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Minimum Download Speed (in Mbps)

You can think of bandwidth like a freeway. In order to get more cars (your data) to your desired destination (your device), you need a wider freeway (more bandwidth). More bandwidth means that you’ll be able to receive more data at the same time.

Internet Activity

8 12 20

25

Social Media Sharing Small Photos Streaming SD Video Downloading Music Video Calling Email Downloading Large Files Streaming HD Video Downloading Movies Multi-Player Gaming WEB Surfing/Shopping

Analogy # 2 - Water Through a Hose Let’s try another analogy. Think of downloading data as water moving through a hose. The hose is your bandwidth. The larger the hose (bandwidth), the more water (data) you can move through it.

Number of Connected Devices

8 12 20 25

3 4 5 6 or more

WHAT’S SLOWING DOWN MY INTERNET?

• The number of Internet connected devices you have. The average US household has 16-25 devices connected to the Internet, all competing for bandwidth. While several factors must be taken into consideration when choosing your Internet speed, the charts above are a great place to start.

a “choppy” gaming experience, consider these three factors: • The bandwidth of your Internet plan (the connection between your home and Sierra Tel). • How you distribute that Internet within your home. Are your devices connected by wires (Ethernet cables), or do you connect wirelessly? If you’ve ever wondered why large files take so long to download, why Netflix has delays, or why you have

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