How does the speed of the Internet from the modem

Internet speed is the amount of information we receive per unit of time. And time in modern man is worth its weight in gold. We are constantly nervous in the queues, traffic jams, and the slow Internet further aggravates the picture, brings us to a boil. Can we affect communication speed? When choosing a provider and equipment, it is necessary to understand whether the speed of the Internet depends on the modem, or whether the slow connection to the World Wide Web is caused by some other reasons.

Of course, the speed of the Internet is determined by many factors:

  • type of network connection (fiber optic or telephone line, 3G, satellite);
  • technical capabilities of the provider (availability of a sufficient amount of equipment, its modernity, quality of communication lines, frequency of coverage);
  • tariff plan (the provider can artificially limit the access speed);
  • software on the computer, the correct settings for networking, the presence of viruses, software errors, etc .;
  • parameters of the sites themselves that you visit (possible problems on the servers, congestion, etc.);
  • weather conditions (rain, hurricane, snow, thunderstorms can create trouble on the line, equipment failure, lack of communication with towers and servers).

To find out whether the modem affects the speed of the Internet, let's look at the different types of connections.

Fiber optic connection

Fiber optic cable has high bandwidth and provides the fastest data exchange. It often happens that the optical fiber is simply brought to the building, and then a twisted pair goes through the rooms (apartments), which significantly limits the speed (up to 100 Mbit / s). In this case, the modem is not required - the cable can be connected directly to the network card of the computer, but a router may be required. This is a more complex device that allows you to create a local and Wi-Fi network indoors, connect various mobile and stationary devices to them. The maximum speed in such a network is determined by the capabilities of the router.

If the provider offers to connect the fiber optic cable directly to the apartment (or office space), then you will need a special modem. As a rule, the operator provides it himself and includes a fee for it in the tariff plan. In this case, the speed of the Internet depends on the modem and, perhaps, the company will offer you different options for cost and functionality.

Telephone connection

At the time of the appearance of the Internet, access was made via the telephone network using Dial-up technology with a very low connection quality (up to 56 Kbps). At the same time, when working on the network, the telephone line was busy. Now this outdated method of communication has been replaced by ADSL technology, which allows you to simultaneously use the Internet and a telephone. However, even in this case, the connection speed cannot technically be higher than 24 Mbit / s. In practice, due to the poor state of the lines, the figure is much lower, and this is precisely the determining factor. But with the help of the correct setting of the ADSL-modem, the speed of communication can be increased.

At the same time, the modem model affects the Internet speed - on the same line, a more modern, expensive device will allow to achieve the best performance. The difference can be up to 2-3 times. In addition, sluggishness is caused by frequent freezing, instability of communication.

To increase the speed of the Internet, pay attention to the following:

  • Do not allow the device to overheat, provide adequate ventilation, do not put things on top. Overheating causes inhibition in operation, freezing, failures.
  • Contact your provider for recommendations on setting up hardware and software. Some operators offer a file with parameters for a particular model.
  • Update device firmware. Outdated software may limit connectivity.

Connection via 3G / LTE / 4G network

3G / LTE / 4G connection is gaining popularity, as it allows you to literally carry the Internet with you. A small device that looks like a USB flash drive that fits easily in your pocket allows you to connect your laptop to the World Wide Web in any place where the cellular operator works. It is for this type of connection that there is no doubt whether the increase in Internet connection speed depends on the correct choice of the modem model.

First of all, the communication standard itself determines the speed of data exchange. 3G gives up to 2 Mbit / s, LTE already up to 299.6 Mbit / s, and 4G can theoretically reach 1 Gbit / s. Naturally, the higher the technical capabilities, the more expensive the equipment.

In addition to technical parameters, there are also factors of how the Internet speed depends on the modem:

  • If the network is loaded, that is, many users download or upload large amounts of information, the modem switches to a lower communication standard, which affects the speed of work.
  • Overheating of the device can lead to slower work, this is the trouble of budget models.
  • Poor quality of the receiving antenna signal. Even if the operator has provided good network performance, the device simply cannot fully capture the connection.
  • Incorrect device settings, as well as the operating system and software.

There are several ways to increase network speed a bit:

  1. Using the gpedit.msc command (Start menu - Run).

  2. In the “Group Policy” window, select “Administrative Templates”, then “Network” and find the “QoS Package Manager”. There you need to enable the backup bandwidth limit (put a tick and a value of 0%). This will increase the speed by 20%.
  3. Buy a USB extension cable to move the device to where the signal is better, for example, closer to the window. Remember that the cable should not be too long, otherwise it will cause the opposite effect and loss of speed. It is desirable meter, but in any case not more than 3 meters.
  4. Signal quality can be improved by attaching an external antenna. You can buy in the store, but you can do it yourself, using a variety of video instructions online.

Thus, it cannot be said that the Internet speed depends on the modem and only on it. Many factors affect the acceleration of work, they are often interdependent. Nevertheless, to solve the problem of slow Internet, or at least significantly improve the situation, you can use the correct selection and configuration of the modem.