Understanding Your Results
Download Speed
Measures how fast data travels from the internet to your device. This affects streaming quality, web page load times, and file downloads. Measured in Mbps (megabits per second).
Upload Speed
Measures how fast data travels from your device to the internet. Critical for video calls, uploading files, live streaming, and cloud backups. Fiber plans offer symmetrical upload and download.
Latency (Ping)
The time it takes for data to make a round trip between your device and the server, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower is better. Under 20 ms is excellent; under 50 ms is good for gaming and video calls.
Jitter
The variation in latency over time. High jitter causes choppy video calls and lag spikes in games. Under 10 ms jitter is ideal. Fiber connections typically have the lowest jitter.
How does your speed compare?
These figures are illustrative median download speeds for major Texas metros (typical fixed broadband), not live measurements. Use them to see how your result might stack up — then open a city page for provider-level detail.
| City | Typical median download | Local guide |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | 350 Mbps | View providers |
| San Antonio | 280 Mbps | View providers |
| Houston | 310 Mbps | View providers |
| Dallas | 340 Mbps | View providers |
| Fort Worth | 295 Mbps | View providers |
| El Paso | 220 Mbps | View providers |
Explore more hubs: Texas city & ZIP coverage.
Speed recommendations by activity
Quick reference for how much bandwidth common activities use. Add concurrent users and devices when estimating your total need.
| Activity | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming video — 4K (one stream) | 25 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Online gaming (competitive / low latency) | 25 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| HD video calls (Zoom / Meet / Teams) | 3 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p streaming (one stream) | 5 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| Smart home devices (cameras, hubs) | 10 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| Large file downloads / cloud backup | 25 Mbps | 100+ Mbps |
Household plan tiers (rule of thumb)
Combine the activity table above with your household size. These tiers help you interpret whether your plan is undersized.
| Scenario | Minimum Speed | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Web Browsing & Email | 5 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
| Streaming Video (4K) | 25 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Online Gaming | 25 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| WFH Video Calls (Zoom / Teams) | 10 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Large Household (5+ devices) | 100 Mbps | 300+ Mbps |
| Content Creation & Uploads | 25 Mbps | 100+ Mbps |
What To Do If Your Speed Is Slow
Restart your router and modem
Unplug both devices for 30 seconds, then plug the modem in first and wait for it to fully connect before plugging in the router.
Move closer to your router or switch to 5 GHz Wi-Fi
Walls, floors, and distance degrade Wi-Fi signal. The 5 GHz band is faster but shorter range; 2.4 GHz reaches further but is slower.
Use an Ethernet cable for critical devices
Wired connections eliminate Wi-Fi variability entirely. Use Ethernet for your work computer, gaming console, or streaming box.
Check for bandwidth hogs
Cloud backups, system updates, and other devices streaming can consume your bandwidth. Pause non-essential downloads during important activities.
Upgrade your router
If your router is more than 3–4 years old, it may not support the speeds your plan offers. Look for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or Wi-Fi 6E routers.
Contact your ISP
If speeds are consistently well below your plan after troubleshooting, call your provider. There may be a line issue, node congestion, or a plan upgrade available.
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Speed Test FAQ
More local context: Austin · San Antonio · Houston · Dallas · Fort Worth.
How accurate are internet speed tests?
Speed tests measure your connection between your device and a nearby server. Results can vary based on Wi-Fi interference, network congestion, VPN usage, and time of day. For the most accurate result, use a wired Ethernet connection, close other applications, and test at different times of day.
What is a good internet speed?
For most households, 100 Mbps download is a solid baseline. A single person streaming and browsing can get by with 25–50 Mbps, while a family of four with multiple devices should aim for 200–300 Mbps. Gamers and remote workers benefit from 100+ Mbps with low latency (under 30 ms).
Why is my speed test result lower than what I pay for?
Advertised speeds represent the maximum your plan supports under ideal conditions. Real-world speeds are affected by Wi-Fi signal strength, router quality, network congestion during peak hours, the number of devices connected, and distance from your router or ISP node.
What is the difference between download and upload speed?
Download speed determines how fast data arrives at your device — it affects streaming, web browsing, and file downloads. Upload speed determines how fast you can send data — it matters for video calls, uploading files, live streaming, and cloud backups. Most cable plans have much slower upload than download speeds; fiber typically offers symmetrical speeds.
How often should I run a speed test?
Run a speed test whenever your connection feels slow, after changing your plan or equipment, and periodically (once a month) to track performance over time. Testing at different times of day helps identify peak-hour congestion. Keep a log of results to share with your ISP if you need to report issues.
Does Wi-Fi vs Ethernet change my speed test results?
Yes. Ethernet typically matches your plan more closely because it avoids wireless interference, distance, and congestion. Wi-Fi can show 30–70% lower speeds than your plan in real homes, especially on 2.4 GHz or through walls. For troubleshooting, test wired first, then Wi-Fi in the same room as the router.
What is Mbps and how does it relate to MB/s?
Speed tests report megabits per second (Mbps). Downloads in your browser are often shown in megabytes per second (MB/s). There are 8 bits in a byte, so divide Mbps by 8 for a rough MB/s figure (e.g., 100 Mbps ≈ 12.5 MB/s).
Can my VPN affect speed test results?
Yes. A VPN encrypts and routes traffic through another server, which can reduce speeds and add latency. For measuring your ISP, disable the VPN temporarily or use split tunneling so the test traffic does not go through the VPN.
Why do different speed test sites show different numbers?
Each service uses different servers, test file sizes, and measurement methods. Small differences are normal. If results diverge wildly, run multiple tests on the same site at different times and compare against your plan’s advertised range.