The average of the actual speed of a network
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Show You may have very fast broadband, or perhaps even a fibre leased line, and yet you find that your Wi-Fi is frustratingly slow. When you do a test, it confirms that it is much slower than your hard-wired connections. But why? Part of the reason you decided to pay more for additional bandwidth was so that you would have faster Wi-Fi, but alas - it seems to still run at a snail's pace! This is because the speed of a Wi-Fi wireless network connection depends on several factors. And like most types of computer networks, Wi-Fi supports varying levels of performance, depending on the technology standard. Wi-Fi standards are certified by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Each Wi-Fi standard is rated according to its maximum theoretical network bandwidth. However, the performance of Wi-Fi networks doesn't match these theoretical maximums. Theoretical vs actual network speedsAn 802.11b network typically operates no faster than about 50 percent of its theoretical peak, and usually less, around 2-3 Mbps. 802.11a and 802.11g networks usually run no faster than 20 Mbps. Even though 802.11n rates at 600 Mbps compared to wired Fast Ethernet at 100 Mbps, the Ethernet connection can often outperform 802.11n in real-world usage.
The 802.11ac standard (Gigabit Wi-Fi) has the following characteristics:
Factors limiting Wi-Fi connection speedsThe disparity between theoretical and practical Wi-Fi performance comes from network protocol overhead, radio interference, physical obstructions on the line of sight between devices, and the distance between devices. In addition, as more devices communicate on the network simultaneously, its performance decreases due not only to how bandwidth works but also the limitations of the network hardware. A Wi-Fi network connection operates at the highest possible speed that both devices, often referred to as endpoints, can support. An 802.11g laptop connected to an 802.11n router, for example, networks at the lower speed of the 802.11g laptop. Both devices must support the same standard in order to operate at the higher speed. What's next?The next wireless communications standard will be 802.11ax. It isn't expected to be officially certified by the IEEE until 2019 / 2020. It will be much faster than the 802.11ac standard, and it will be able to function even when the signal encounters heavy interference. Additionally, 802.11ax routers will be MU-MIMO enabled; they will be able to send data to multiple devices (potentially up to 12) at the same time. Most older routers send data to only one device at a time while switching back and forth between devices so quickly the switch isn't noticed. Want to know more?A Wi-Fi network is only as good as it is designed. And buying more bandwidth may not be the answer. VTSL is a company that specialises in network solutions, including Wi-Fi that meets the needs today's growing business. With over 10 years of experience in providing award-winning business VoIP telephony, premium business-grade connectivity and unified communications solutions that include bespoke software integrations, VTSL is the answer to your business communications needs. Speak to one of our friendly experts today about how to get your business working faster, and smarter. Call 020 7078 3200 or email . Topics: Products, Interesting, Telecoms What is the average speed of a network?Basic Service = 3 to 8 Mbps. Medium Service = 12 to 25 Mbps. Advanced Service = More than 25 Mbps. Mbps (Megabits per second) is the standard measure of broadband speed.
What is throughput and bandwidth?Bandwidth and throughput both concern network data. Network bandwidth defines how much data can possibly travel in a network in a period of time. Network throughput refers to how much data actually transfers during a period of time.
What is the actual real life speed of wireless networks?Actual Network Speeds. Current Wi-Fi networks support a variety of standards. An 802.11b network typically operates no faster than about 50 percent of its theoretical peak, around 5.5 Mbps. The 802.11a and 802.11g networks usually run no faster than 20 Mbps.
What is Mbps mean?Broadband speeds are measured in 'megabits per second', often shortened to Mb Mbits p/s or Mbps. Bits are tiny units of data, with a megabit representing a million of them. The higher the number of Mbps (megabits per second) you have, the speedier your online activity should be.
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