How to Run An Internet Speed Test (and Why You Should)

Internet is now the fourth utility in every home

After gas, water and electricity, we all depend on the internet to stay productive. It helps us connect to each other, work, learn, play, and entertain. A strong internet connection is now more important than ever, and will only become more important in the future as we become more connected. For this reason, the speed in your home should be frequently tested to ensure you’re getting the most out of your internet.

It’s never been easier to test your internet speed – simply go here (save this link) and click the big purple “Go” button. The IQ Fiber speed test has an easy-to-read needle and gives download and upload speeds Just watch the needle move and it will quickly give you accurate download, upload, and jitter and ping results.

What do my speed test results mean?

In short, you want the highest download and upload speed possible, especially if you stream a lot of video. Download speeds of 100 mbps (Megabits per second) and upload speeds of 10 mbps are considered fast, but if you’re running multiple devices, you’ll likely need more.

speed test graphic depicting that fiber speed is more efficient than traditional cable internet.

IQ Fiber has all the internet speed you need

This means you’ll never worry streaming video over multiple devices. Here’s a quick rundown on download speed, upload speed, jitter and ping:

Download speed is how fast data is received. Streaming video, updating a game, or opening up a file are all acts of downloading.

Upload speed is how you send data. Video conferencing (Zoom, Teams, etc.) and the sending of large files for work or school depends on upload speed for clear transmission.

Jitter is the interruption of signal. Jitter is measured in milliseconds, and any interruption should be minimal.

Ping is the how quickly your device gets a response after a request is sent. Ping is also measured in milliseconds, and the shorter, the better. For the most accurate data, run the test at least twice.

Fiber-optic internet offers the best internet experience available because the download and the upload speeds are symmetrical. With traditional cable internet, upload speeds are often much slower, and that is a huge problem for those who work from home and are often on video chat calls for work.

Traditional cable internet often has data caps, and the internet speeds will decrease as you use it more and more for the multiple devices in your home.

With IQ Fiber, none of these issues exist. Download and upload speeds are similar, and with no data caps, a dozen devices can connect and use a large amount of bandwidth without slowing you down.

Finally, it’s a good idea to test your internet speeds every few months and make sure you’re getting the speeds you signed up for. With IQ Fiber, we have three stress-free plans for you to choose from, and our reliable network is built from the ground up to optimize for speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

The internet is the heartbeat of the modern home. We’ve come to rely on it for work, education, entertainment, and shopping. Fiber is the best solution to provide internet because it is:

FAST — 1000 mbps (1G) of speed with fiber internet is about 20 times faster than standard cable. Your time is valuable, so don’t waste it waiting for your internet to load!
RELIABLE — IQ Fiber provides dedicated bandwidth directly to your home, so your speeds don’t dip during peak traffic hours or as more neighbors join the Fiberhood.
SYMMETRICAL — Only fiber has symmetrical upload and download speeds so no matter what you’re doing, you can get it done quickly.
FUTURE-PROOF — Fiber cables are more lightweight, durable, and resilient than copper. Its bandwidth capacity far exceeds what any home requires, so we’ll grow with you as technology changes in the future.
SUSTAINABLE — Traditional cable uses about 12 times more energy than fiber. It generates less heat and is made from more sustainable materials.

Symmetrical speeds are when upload and download speeds are equal. Older mediums like cable and DSL are asymmetrical, meaning you aren’t able to upload data as quickly as you can download it. When your speeds are symmetrical it means video calls work better, video games play faster, and your photos upload in an instant.

Fiber-optic networks are built to transmit data through a thin fiber glass strand using pulses of light. Because each strand is dedicated to each home, there is no sharing of bandwidth between neighbors. In addition, fiber-optic networks need very little electrical power to operate. The data is transmitted at the same speed to the home as it is away from the home with very little lag. Fiber-optic networks are the fastest and most reliable home internet technology available today.

5G is a form of wireless broadband delivered using nearby cell towers while fiber-optic internet is connected directly to your home. FTTH (fiber to the home) connections provide dedicated bandwidth while a 5G shares bandwidth with your neighbors. Though 5G wireless is great for mobile devices when you aren’t home, fiber-optic is much faster and more reliable to use for the many connected devices within your home.

Yes. In most cases you will be able to keep your existing services. However, once you move to our services, you’ll have enough speed and bandwidth to manage all your services over the internet. It’s also easy to move to a voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) service like Google Voice or Vonage where you can keep your phone number. You always have the option to remove your home phone altogether in favor of using your cell exclusively instead. Most national security monitoring companies offer “cut the cable cord” services with faster response times than a landline can offer.

Internet is now the fourth utility in every home

What do my speed test results mean?

IQ Fiber has all the internet speed you need

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s so special about fiber-optic internet?

What is a symmetrical internet connection?

How does fiber-optic internet work?

How is fiber different from wireless 5G? Is it better?

Can I keep my existing TV, phone, and security services?