Take an Internet Speed Test
Check your internet connection and performance, including your current internet upload and download speeds, with a Speedtest® from Ookla®.
Official site: https://www.speedtest.net/
Breaking Down Internet Speed Test Results
Need help understanding your internet speed test results?
Not a problem.
MTA can help. If we don't answer your questions below, contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have or help you troubleshoot any internet connectivity issues.
Download Speed
Download speed is the bandwidth capacity at which your connected devices can transfer data from the internet. Download speed is often measured in Mbps (megabits per second; 1000 Mbps = 1 gigabit).
The higher the Mbps, the faster the download speed. The FCC classifies broadband internet as at least 100 Mbps, which is preferable for standard Netflix streaming, transferring large files for work, and more. For example, streaming HD (1080p) video requires around 5 Mbps per device that is streaming video for optimal performance and quality.
Upload Speed
Upload speed is the bandwidth capacity at which your connected devices can transfer data to the internet. Upload speed is often measured in Mbps (megabits per second; 1000 Mbps = 1 gigabit).
Like download speed, the higher the Mbps, the faster the upload speed. The FCC classifies broadband speed as at least 20 Mbps. Upload speed is critical for video calls, security cameras, cloud backups, and posting pictures/videos on social media. The higher the speed, the faster these services are.
Latency/Ping Rate
Latency is the speed it takes for data to travel from point A to point B and back to point A. Ping rate is usually measured in milliseconds (ms).
Speeds under 50ms are usually adequate for most households and result in little to no buffering or noticeable delays. MTA latency is usually around 35-40ms.
Gaming performance is optimal under 50ms, while streaming is typically unaffected by latency below 100ms. High latency in gaming can cause lag, while in VoIP it leads to delays in conversations. Satellite internet providers, especially from high-orbit providers, often have high latency, which can disrupt real-time activities. Even low-orbit options like Starlink average 50-100ms may still cause occasional delays.
Jitter
Information travels online through data packets, often at a set interval in a set amount of time. When that amount of time or interval varies, it is known as jitter.
Jitter is typically measured in milliseconds (ms). The higher the jitter, the better the odds of poor audio quality, dropped video calls, pixelated images, and the like. In other words, jitter is measured for each side of the trip a data packet takes. Jitter from point A to B may be higher or lower than from B to A. This measurement helps identify where the transport issues could lie.
As an example, during a video call, uneven jitter may result in delayed responses or distorted audio. Jitter can cause higher latency and can therefore also increase lag when gaming or streaming.
Bandwidth/Data Transfer Rate (DTR)/Throughput
DTR refers to the rate at which data transfers across a network or from one device to another. A higher DTR is preferable for online gaming, video streaming, and similar online activities. DTR is influenced by network congestion, device limitations, and/or router performance.
DTR can be measured in many different ways, including:
- Bits per second (bps)
- Bytes per second (Bps
- Kilobits per second (Kbps)
- Megabits per second (Mbps)
- Gigabits per second (Gbps)
DTR is a combined measure of the actual transfer rate when considering all of the factors involved—latency, jitter, and throughput.
Bandwidth/Data Transfer Capacity
Only so much data can be transmitted online at a time. How much data can transmit in a certain amount of time is referred to as bandwidth. Typically, the higher the bandwidth, the faster the internet speed.
Bandwidth is often measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps).
Data Cap
A data cap is a limit on how much data can be downloaded during a given time.
Data caps are often measured in gigabytes (GB).
Signal Strength
Signal strength tests the strength of a business or home WiFi connection, specifically the strength of the WiFi signal between the router and a connected device.
Signal strength is usually measured in decibel milliwatts (dBm) as a negative number. The higher the dBm, the stronger the signal. For example, Aa-40dBm or higher would be great for gaming and streaming. A -80dBm, however, would indicate a weak signal and usually results in very slow speeds as well as increased jitter and latency.
Signal strength can be improved by positioning the router in a central location or using MTA's totalWiFi extenders to improve the reach of the signal.
What Affects Internet Speed?
Experiencing slow internet or poor network performance? The following reasons might be why.
Device
Devices—laptop, cell phones, tablets, etc.—can all affect internet speed. As a general rule, the following are ways that devices can impact internet speed:
- Age - The older the device, the slower the speed.
- Browser - Which browser a device uses can drastically impact speed.
- Distance to router - The farther away the device is to the router, the weaker the WiFi signal strength and the slower the speed.
- Number - The more devices that are connected to the business or home network, the slower the speed.
- Operating system - Certain operating systems are slower than others, and out-of-date operating systems can lag more than updated ones.
- Firewall/antivirus software - Bloated software, including firewall and antivirus software, can slow down your computer and internet speeds.
Type of Internet Services Delivery and Internet Delivery Infrastructure
Major Internet Services Delivery types include:
Fiber-Optic
Provides the fastest and most reliable internet with symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps—ideal for homes with high-demand usage like streaming, gaming, security cameras, and remote work. Immune to interference and distance-related signal loss, making it the most future-proof option available.
DSL (Digtal Subscriber Line)/Copper
Delivers a dedicated connection over existing telephone lines, meaning your speeds are not impacted by neighbors’ usage—unlike cable’s shared network. Often more stable and consistent in rural or less densely populated areas, and typically more affordable with simpler installation.
Cable (Coaxial)
Offers high download speeds, but performance can dip during peak usage times due to shared bandwidth. Upload speeds are often significantly lower than download speeds, which can impact video calls, security cameras, cloud backups, and content creation.
The type of internet equipment you have can affect speed. Major internet delivery infrastructure types include:
- WiFi - This wireless connection is affected by factors like location, distance of the router to the connected devices, and age of the devices. WiFi is usually slower (and more prone to interference) than direct wired connection types like ethernet and fiber optic internet.
- Ethernet - Ethernet is a type of wired internet connection and is affected by factors like the quality and length of the cables. It is usually faster and gives better, more consistent performance than WiFi but slower than fiber optic.
- Optical Network Terminal (ONT) - This wired connection uses fiber internet cables to deliver high-speed, reliable internet connections. It is connect via an optical network terminal (ONT) at your home, connected to a router. It is affected by factors like the type of fiber used in the cables and the length of the cables. Fiber optic internet is usually faster than both WiFi and ethernet.
Miscellaneous
Other factors that can impact the speed and strength of your internet include signal interference and full caches.
Upgrading to Faster Internet with MTA Alaska
Alaskan home and business owners know the struggle of slow internet. MTA Alaska is here to fix that. We are the internet service provider (ISP) offering reliable home phone, home internet, and business internet plans to hardworking Alaskans.
Want to upgrade to a faster internet plan, boost your signal strength or upload speeds, run an internet speed test, or learn more about your speed test results? Contact us today. An MTA representative will be happy to help.