Why is your internet slower than what you pay for? Find out how to solve it

“Various factors can weaken your connection, from old hardware to Wi-Fi interference”explains Becket Barrionuevo, Country Manager of ACER Peru.

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Below is a guide where you’ll learn why your internet may feel slow, how to measure its speed, and what simple steps you can take today to improve it.

“The speed of your internet affects practically everything you do online. A fast, stable connection makes streaming smoother, downloads faster, and online gaming more responsive. It also helps video calls be clear, without interruptions or freezes. Even simple tasks, like browsing websites, feel much more agile with a good connection”says Barrionuevo

Nowadays, many homes have multiple devices connected at the same time. Phones, laptops, tablets, televisions, smart speakers and video game consoles they share the same network. If your speed is low, everyone competes for the bandwidth and they slow each other down. Good speed ensures that the entire house can work, study and entertain without interruptions.

Speed ​​also has an impact on safety. When your network is overwhelmed or malfunctioning, updates can fail and leave your devices vulnerable. A stable connection keeps everything up to date and working as it should.

The speed advertised by vendors is typically the highest performance possible under ideal conditions, such as lab testing with a wired connection and no interference. At home, the real conditions are different: Distance to the router, connection type, and obstacles all affect the result. Additionally, contracts often include terms like “up to,” meaning the advertised speed is a cap, not a guarantee, leading to higher expectations than actual performance.

Another factor is network congestion. When many users in your area connect at the same time, especially in peak hoursthe speed decreases because you share infrastructure with other homes. Technology also influences: fiber optics offer speeds closer to those advertised, while cable, DSL and satellite present more variations depending on distance, line quality and even weather. Therefore, two people with the same plan can have very different results.

Even if your provider delivers the correct speed to your home, various internal elements can slow down the connection. The most common are:

· Wi-Fi router: Older models do not support high speeds and location affects the signal (walls, floors and furniture weaken it).

· Devices: Old equipment does not support fast bands; many only use 2.4 GHz. Outdated chips and drivers also slow speeds.

· Interferences: Microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth and neighboring networks affect the signal.

· Distance: The further away from the router, the slower the speed, especially on different floors or behind thick walls.

· Cable vs Wi-Fi: Ethernet is more stable; Wi-Fi is sensitive to distance and interference.

· Software: Malware, outdated systems, and background apps can slow down your connection.

Each technology has different performance in real conditions:

1. Optical fiber: the fastest and most reliable option. It uses light signals and usually offers speeds very close to those advertised.
2. Cable: Use coaxial cables. It may be fast, but it slows down during rush hours.
3. DSL: uses old telephone lines. It is slower and depends on the distance to the provider node.
4. Fixed wireless internet: arrives by signal from a nearby tower. Its performance depends on distance, weather and obstacles.
5. Satellite; Available almost anywhere, but with limited speed and high latency due to the distance the signal travels.

Knowing your connection type is key to understanding the real speed: the bandwidth 2.4 GHz offers greater range, but is slower and more congested, ideal for older or remote devices; that of 5 GHz It is much faster, although with less range, perfect for modern equipment near the router, streaming and games; and that of 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E/7) is the fastest and least saturated, optimal for fast downloads, 4K/8K streaming and gaming, as long as the device is compatible.

If your device or router does not support these technologies, you will never reach the full speed of your plan. To know what you’re really getting, do a speed test with tools like Speedtest, Fast.com or your provider’s website: if the results are low on all devices and times, the problem is with the provider; If it occurs only in certain areas or computers, the origin is in your internal network.

There are several practical actions you can take without changing your plan. For example, moving your router to a better location (central, open, elevated position); restarting your router regularly, every week or two can improve its performance; use the 5 GHz band when possible; Wire important devices and reduce Wi-Fi interference.

Also, update the router firmware; replace old equipment; limit the number of active devices and perform malware scans on your devices.

“Improving your internet speed is easier when we understand what affects it. Once you know how to test and detect the real causes, you can solve most problems on your own. Router location, device limitations, signal interference, and outdated hardware directly influence speed. With the right steps, you can enjoy a faster, more stable connection to work, watch content, and play,” says Becket Barrionuevo.