How plan speed is different from device speed

The speed to a device will almost always be lower than the speed to the home, especially with the high speeds of fiber service.

If you've done a speed test and been alarmed that the results were lower than your total plan speed, don't worry. It's normal. Here's why.

Test Your Speed

Speed to the home is usually faster than speed to devices

Illustration showing speed to the home and then to devices

The speed you get to your modem or SmartNID should be your total plan speed. For example, if you have a 940 Mbps plan, that should be close to the speed you see if you test your speed to the modem or SmartNID using the Quantum Fiber app. 

 

As that signal gets distributed throughout your space over WiFi, it will get slower. How much it slows depends on a few things.

Speed slower with more devices

Illustration showing how more connected devices will reduce speed

The more devices you have connected to your WiFi, the slower the speed to each device.
 

With a high bandwidth plan like 940 Mbps, you start with so much speed that even if you see 200 Mbps on a device, that should be plenty fast for most common activities.

Speed Need Assessment

Every device has a maximum speed

Illustration showing that older devices get slower internet speeds

All devices have maximum speed capabilities. So lower speeds could be due to your device rather than any problem with your service.

Older devices simply weren't built for the high speeds fiber can provide. If you have devices that are more than a few years old, their top speed may be only 100-150 Mbps.

Newer devices may max out at 200 to 300 Mbps. Each one is different, so if you aren't sure, check the specifications for your individual device.

Device Speed Lookup

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