How to Test Your Internet Speed

Dec 5 2023

Tips and Tools for Optimizing Internet Speed in Canada

As society becomes more and more dependent on smartphones and the internet, a slow internet connection is not just an inconvenience; it can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life.

If you’re paying for high-speed Internet but suspect that you aren’t getting exactly that, there are several ways to test your internet connection to figure out what kind of speed you’re actually getting.

In this article, we’ll tell you what these tools and methods are, along with the factors that could affect your internet connection, so you can arm yourself with the information you need to renegotiate your Internet package or switch to a more reliable provider.

Keep reading to learn how to test and optimize your Internet speed.

Optimal Internet Speeds in Canada

For the average Canadian household, the Canadian federal government says that a “good Internet speed” is 50Mbps for download speed and 10Mbps for upload speed. However, this is considered the bare minimum, and most Internet providers will offer significantly higher speeds than this. For example, at Comwave, we offer up to 1,000Mbps to our internet customers.

The best internet speed for your household is also dependent on your usage and the number of people living in the home. Here’s a breakdown of the minimum Internet speed per household, considering these factors:

• 30Mbps – One-person household that browses the web and occasionally streams video..
• 50Mbps – Two-to-four person household that browses the web and streams video regularly.
• 300Mbps – Four person household that browses the internet, streams videos and plays online games regularly.

When testing your Internet connection using the tips we’ve outlined below, you should be looking for a speed that matches or exceeds this.

How to Test Your Internet Speed

One of the simplest ways to test your Internet speed is to use a website or smartphone app that was designed for this purpose.

Google has its own tool for testing Internet speeds that you can easily find by Googling “Internet speed test.” Some other great options include:

• Fast.com
• Speedtest.net by Ookla
• CIRA Internet Performance Test from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

All of these tests will give you an accurate picture of the speed of your Internet connection. However, we recommend testing a few times to make sure the results are accurate, as individual internet speed test results can vary slightly.

How to Troubleshoot Your Internet Speed Issue

After using any of these tools, if you have found that your Internet speed does not meet the federal government guidelines mentioned above, consider the following factors that may be impacting your Internet connection:

Your Computer

The Internet tends to be slower on older computers. If your computer is older than ten years old, consider upgrading to get a better Internet connection.

Your Modem

This same logic also applies to your internet modem. Your modem is what converts the data travelling from an Internet cable or fibre line into your phone or computer and enables you to connect to the Internet, so it’s important to ensure that this device is up to date. If your modem is more than five years old, you should be looking into a replacement.

The Number of People in Your Household

If you live alone and only have one or two devices using your Internet at a time, you should have a strong Internet connection most of the time. If you live with roommates or relatives or have kids that all have their own devices, this will have an impact on the speed of your Internet.

The Type of Connection You Have

Fibre-optic internet typically provides the fastest upload and download speed, while Cable, DSL, and Satellite internet can be less reliable.

Background Apps That Are Running

If you’re using a brand new computer and modem and live alone, consider how many background apps you have running and tabs you have open. If you don’t close out of an app or an internet tab you are using, it continues using an internet connection, which can impact your internet speed.

Weather Conditions

For those with satellite internet, your speed may be affected by rain, snow, or heavy cloud cover, as adverse weather can impact satellite signals. So, if you live in an area that frequently experiences adverse weather conditions, remember that this could be impacting your internet speed.

Optimizing Your Internet Speed

To summarize, in order to achieve the highest possible internet speed, you should be:

• Regularly updating and replacing your internet modem
• Making sure your devices and network equipment are up to date
• Limiting how many devices are being used at once
• Closing out unused tabs and background apps
• Choosing a great Internet package with high download and upload speeds

If you’ve done all of the above and still find that your internet speed is slower than what you are paying for, you may want to consider switching to a more reliable internet provider like Comwave.

Comwave is Canada’s largest independent Internet provider, offering reliable yet highly affordable home internet you can depend on delivered with outstanding customer service.

Get the Best Internet in Canada

Comwave has some of the fastest Toronto internet and Wi-Fi coverage at some of the best prices in all of Canada. We also offer internet & TV bundle plans so you can enjoy both streaming content and live television at an affordable price.

Visit our website to learn more about our internet packages and TV plus Internet plans.