Internet Speed Test

While Wi-Fi speed tests are generally accurate, various factors can influence the results. Server distance, device location, testing time, VPN usage, online activity, connected devices and internet equipment can all impact the outcome. You should conduct multiple tests at different times using reliable speed test tools to get a more precise understanding of your internet speed. This will provide a range of Wi-Fi speeds, giving you a better idea of your internet’s potential.

It’s common for advertised speeds, especially from cable providers, to differ from real-world results. For businesses and MDUs, this can happen due to shared bandwidth, network congestion, or throttling during peak hours. With cable, upload speeds are typically much slower than download speeds, which can impact cloud applications, video conferencing, VoIP calls, and security camera feeds. Fiber delivers consistent, symmetrical speeds, even during peak usage, so your operations or tenant experience never slow down.

Bandwidth requirements depend on how many users, devices, and applications are running simultaneously. For a small office, a few hundred Mbps may be enough, but for multi-tenant buildings, hybrid workforces, or businesses with heavy cloud usage, multi-gig fiber is often necessary. The more simultaneous video calls, cloud backups, streaming, or security systems in use, the more critical it becomes to have scalable, symmetrical bandwidth. Without sufficient bandwidth, businesses risk downtime and revenue loss, while MDUs risk tenant frustration, bad reviews and slower lease-ups.

Asymmetrical cable connections can bottleneck performance in high-upload environments. Businesses rely on fast uploads for large file transfers, cloud backups, remote desktop access, and video conferencing. MDUs depend on them for tenant streaming, gaming, and security camera systems. Fiber’s symmetrical speeds keep uploads and downloads equally fast, ensuring consistent performance for every user and device. That means fewer lost sales and missed deadlines for businesses, and fewer complaints or churn risks for property managers.

Mbps (Megabits per second) and Gbps (Gigabits per second) measure the same thing, speed, but Gbps is 1,000 times faster. Businesses running cloud apps, CRM systems, or multiple video meetings at once benefit from gigabit or multi-gig plans. MDUs offering high-speed internet as an amenity see higher tenant satisfaction and fewer support calls when they choose gigabit-level speeds.

Start with the basics: check your wired connection, restart networking equipment, and limit bandwidth-heavy activities temporarily. If speeds are still slow, the issue may be your provider’s infrastructure. Cable and DSL networks can slow dramatically during peak hours. Upgrading to dedicated fiber with SLA-backed reliability ensures your business or property always gets the speeds you pay for—24/7. See if Lumos is right for your business or multi-family unit property.

Common culprits include outdated wiring, overutilized shared networks, Wi-Fi interference, and provider throttling. For MDUs, multiple tenants streaming and gaming at the same time can overwhelm cable-based systems. Businesses can experience the same during heavy cloud usage. A fiber network designed for high concurrency eliminates these slowdowns, delivering consistent performance across all users and applications.