Learn Can VPN Services Help Keep Netflix Up to Speed?

Can VPN Services Help Keep Netflix Up to Speed?

Last Updated: March 6, 2014

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Netflix has been the subject of debate recently, not just for rumors that the service plans to increase its per-month pricing but also that certain Internet service providers (ISPs) are throttling bandwidth to users. The result? Slow movie and TV show downloads, coupled with an inordinate amount of buffering instead of watching. One answer to this problem is the use of VPN services, which let consumers get around many of the restrictions placed on them by ISPs. But do they really work?

The Netflix Problem

Netflix has a solid business model — a large variety of content for a low price every month. Sure, the video quality isn’t the highest, and not all versions of Netflix — PS4, Xbox One, and Wii just to name a few — work equally well, but the sheer number of shows and movies available, coupled with breakout Netflix-only hits like Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards means the streaming video provider isn’t hurting for customers. With Internet speeds increasing, however, and users fed up with traditional cable networks, more pressure is put on ISPs to deliver gigabytes of information to customers every week — and in some cases, every day.

Consumers now allege that some ISPs are starting to throttle bandwidth. This stops short of putting a hard cap on the amount of data users can download each month but slows the rate at which specific services download content. As a result, shows take longer to load, menus are unresponsive, and longer movies become downright unwatchable.

The VPN Solution?

A VPN, or “virtual private network,” is a way to alter the IP address of your computer, allowing you to bypass many of the restrictions placed on your connection by an ISP. VPN services are available for free from sites like OkayFreedom or OpenVPN Shield Exchange, and for pay from providers like VyprVPN (around $7 per month) or AirVPN (around $9 per month). Many of these services prevent “deep packet inspection” by ISPs, meaning your Internet company won’t know if you’re accessing Netflix or not, which would hopefully prevent any kind of bandwidth throttling. VPNs also fully encrypt the data and hide your IP address from websites you visit, instead showing the address of the closest VPN server. Some services also offer iOS or Android apps, which let you avoid these problems on mobile devices as well.

It’s worth noting that some VPN services keep logs of all activity on their network for 30, 60, or 90 days, which opens up the problem of a potential privacy breach. In addition, some are located outside the United States. While this increases basic privacy, it can also mean a slowdown in overall connection speed due to high packet latency. And in certain cases, even a good VPN won’t solve the problem. If your Internet connection is simply too slow overall or if your provider throttles all connections, paying for a virtual private network won’t make Netflix movies download any faster.

If you’re having trouble with Netflix slowdown, start by running an Internet speed test. Double-check that your speed matches what you’re paying for and check for anyone hijacking your wireless network or connection issues with Netflix itself. If everything else checks out, it’s possible your ISP is throttling your connection and a VPN service could get you back on track.

Photo credit: Twin Design / Shutterstock.com

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What Are the Bandwidth Specifications for Pandora, Spotify, iTunes Radio, and Beats Music?

Last Updated: February 27, 2014

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The bandwidth specifications for streaming apps are becoming more and more important as streaming replaces downloading. Everyone loves streaming music, whether on your cell phone or desktop. The issue, specifically for mobile, is bandwidth.

What if you go over your data cap by streaming your bandwidth away? Also, poor bandwidth equals bad streaming. But don’t worry. Here are some bandwidth tips and requirements for some of the more popular streaming apps:

Pandora and Spotify

One hour is about 72 MB of bandwidth usage (15 hours would then equal out to 2 GB). On mobile, if you use a sizable bandwidth cap, you should be able to easily use a 64 Kbps HE-AAC–encoded stream setting. For both mobile and desktop, make sure you’re getting at least 1–2 Mbps download speeds on your device. Use an Internet speed test to determine this.

iTunes Radio

One song is about 4–11 MB, so with a 1 GB data cap, you will get approximately between 100 and 256 songs per 1 GB. On mobile, you will want to use a higher stream setting for iTunes Radio. Also, for both mobile and desktop, make sure you’re getting at least 1–2 Mbps download speeds.

Beats Music

Whoa! Supposedly there are no data charges, but then you’re paying $14.99 a month anyway — on top of your data usage — and you have to be on an AT&T phone plan. Beats Music is also super-high-quality audio, so you will want to stream at the highest setting. Plus, you need to make sure you have better than adequate bandwidth speeds running. More like 5 Mbps download, for sure. You’re paying for this, so you better make sure your streaming is at the next level.

In the end, make sure you know your bandwidth specifications for your streaming service (this goes for video as well). There is nothing more annoying than paying extra charges for data plans, or streaming a song and having it pause, skip, and jump. Get informed!

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Download Speed vs. Upload Speed: What’s the Difference?

Last Updated: February 24, 2014

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Almost every speed test site tests for download speed, upload speed, and the ping rate. The upload rate is always lower than the download rate. This is a configuration set by the local cable carrier — it is not dependent on the user’s bandwidth or Internet speed.

The Difference

There is none. Download speed is the rate at which data is transferred from the Internet to the user’s computer. The upload speed is the rate that data is transferred from the user’s computer to the Internet. Cable companies set the default setting to download faster than upload. The reasoning behind this is that most people have more of a need to download information. It gives the user the ability to download movies, songs, and a large number of documents quickly.

Although there may be some larger businesses that do require a fast upload speed, there are not many people who need fast uploads. Typically, data uploaded is going to a specific site, not to the general Internet or to multiple sites. Even in these cases, it is usually a rare task to perform.

The term “symmetrical” means that the download and upload speeds are the same. Both speeds are optimally tested when they are symmetrical, but again, this is a rare configuration.

The Process

When performing the download portion of a speed test, many sites use Flash to transport their data to the user’s computer. This is an added hindrance to collecting the correct information. BandwidthPlace does not use Flash and has opted to use HTML5 instead, allowing for a faster, cleaner test rate. During the download process, the server sends packets of binary files to the computer. Some companies that use Flash will not count up to 30 percent of the slowest packets transferred, stating that it makes up for the amount of time no packets are delivered during the ramp-up process (getting Flash prepared to run).

The upload process is similar, grabbing generic bits of data from the user’s computer and transferring it to the server. This data is broken and is not complete information, so the data retrieved is safe.

If you find that your download or upload speed is not equal to what your Internet service provider promised, there are a couple of easy fixes you can perform. Use a wired connection to the router instead of wireless. Performing a speed test across a wireless connection will always give slower results. Remove any firewalls in place while the test is active, but make sure to turn it back on afterward. If you determine that your slow speeds are not a router issue, contact your Internet provider.

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Learn Can VPN Services Help Keep Netflix Up to Speed?

US Internet Speed Is Very Fast, but Not the Fastest in the World

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US Internet speed is getting faster. That’s the good news. The bad news is that we are 13th in the world when it comes to average peak Internet speeds. Basically, we are way behind several other countries, and this poses a huge issue in the near future. The United States needs to step it up big time!

Why Is US Internet Speed an Issue?

Studies have linked faster Internet with better economic growth and higher education. But what about the next generation of apps? Fast Internet accelerates the way we use media, such as with Netflix and Hulu, and even faster broadband has the potential to stimulate, say, “Ultra HD” or virtual classrooms. This is important.

It is interesting that when South Korea decided to open up its public system to rivals, it flourished. This is one of many issues the United States will have to face, along with tiered pricing (offered in other countries) and building out better networks (rural Internet is still nonexistent in some states).

The Top 20 Countries With the Fastest Internet

These are based on the most recent average peak conditions (and are download speeds only):

Hong Kong: 65.4 Mbps
South Korea: 63.6 Mbps
Japan: 52 Mbps
Singapore: 50.1 Mbps
Israel: 47.7 Mbps
Romania: 45.4 Mbps
Latvia: 43.1 Mbps
Taiwan: 42.7 Mbps
Netherlands: 39.6 Mbps
Belgium: 38.5 Mbps
Switzerland: 38.4 Mbps
Bulgaria: 37 Mbps
United States: 37 Mbps
Kuwait: 36.4 Mbps
United Arab Emirates: 36 Mbps
United Kingdom: 35.7 Mbps
Canada: 34.8 Mbps
Czech Republic: 34.8 Mbps
Macau: 34.4 Mbps
Sweden: 33.1 Mbps

Luckily, folks like Google and Sonic.net are building out the next-generation of 1 gigabit networks, and when they go cross-country, our lagging Internet might be a part of the past (and so may a few cable and telco companies).

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Will Rebooting Your Router Speed Up Your Internet?

Last Updated: February 17, 2014

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The need for speed is here. Internet speeds are going up, and people want more. Gamers want to have flawless game play, and families want to hook up multiple devices throughout the house and not experience degradation to their bandwidth. There is a lot of advice on the Web explaining how to improve Internet speeds. One of the most common answers is to simply reboot your router.

Internet 101

The basics behind getting Internet to the home is fairly simple. The cable company sends a certain amount of bandwidth to your home depending on the Internet package you have purchased. You then connect to the Internet expecting the speed you are paying for, but this is not always the case. There are many circumstances that can draw your bandwidth away from you: hardware, software, and location are just a few examples.

A good start to knowing how much bandwidth you are getting from your Internet provider is to perform a speed test at BandwidthPlace.com.

The Router Reboot

Shutting the power off on your router and turning it back on is known as a reboot. Rebooting your router will not give you a faster Internet speed — not permanently anyway, but it can improve your Internet speed, in a way.

The router is the hardware, and within the hardware is software that is running the operation. Just like you may have to reboot your computer because it is running slow, the same also applies to a router. Occasionally, the hardware and software stop talking together correctly, and the reboot will re-sync them together, so that they are operating correctly.

If there are multiple devices in the home and there seems to be a terrible lag, then a logical choice may be to reboot the router. After the reboot, you may find that things are running faster again like they are supposed to, but upon closer inspection, you may find out that someone else in the house was just downloading some bandwidth-sucking content.

So, the answer is, yes, unplugging your router can improve Internet speeds from their current state, and no, it will not improve your overall Internet speed. Netflix has a short tutorial on how to restart gaming consoles, smart TVs, and routers.

Photo credit: Flickr/Mr ATM

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Get Your Best Internet Speed Performance With These Simple Tips

Last Updated: February 13, 2014

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When it comes to choosing the best location for your wireless router, it can be tempting to place it near where your modem already is; however, it is important to note that location plays a significant role in the Internet speed performance of your device. Location is crucial when it comes to obtaining peak Internet speed performance. While wireless signals are greatly affected by walls, other wireless devices, and many other variables, picking a solid location for your router is simple when you consider a few simple common-sense measures.

How to Determine Location for Your Router

When placing a router, the first major consideration is that you will want to position the router in a central location nearest to where your devices will be connecting. Since distance can cause bandwidth amounts to degrade between 50 percent and 90 percent, this is one of the most effective ways to ensure solid Internet speed performance on your network. The next major rule to keep in mind is that you will want to avoid physical obstructions from getting in the way of your router. Aside from brick or plaster walls, furniture, mirrors, and other reflective surfaces also degrade bandwidth significantly.

As mentioned earlier, interference with other wireless devices can also significantly degrade the Internet speed performance of even the best devices. Typically, you will want to avoid microwave ovens, cordless telephones, baby monitors, and home automation equipment. Additionally, you should avoid electric fans, other motors, and fluorescent lighting.

Measuring Your Internet Speed Performance

As you are positioning your router, you should run Internet speed tests to make sure that you are getting the best speeds possible. By using a responsive Internet speed test, you can run tests on mobile and desktop devices in your browser to ensure that you are getting uniform results regardless of the device. Additionally, since you don’t need to worry about application downloads, you can immediately start running tests as needed either during the router installation or down the road as things change.

Photo credit: Flickr/fuzzcat

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An Internet Speed Test on LTE Is Simple

Last Updated: February 12, 2014

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Running an Internet speed test on LTE is a great way to make sure you are getting all the bandwidth benefits from your 4G wireless service. It helps verify that your download speeds are actually faster than that of a 3G service, and in some cases your 4G LTE connection may be speedier than a cable and DSL network. If you currently have both a wired and wireless account, this information may help you get a better deal from your cable or DSL provider!

Thankfully, testing your 4G LTE connection is an easy process and only takes a few minutes.

Disable Your WiFi Connection, If Present

Make sure your smartphone is actually using your 4G connection instead of the WiFi network at your current location. Go into the smartphone’s settings (on Android models and the iPhone) to verify that you are using mobile data.

Navigate to an HTML5 Speed Test Site in Your Web Browser

In your mobile Web browser, load the HTML5 speed test site. Remember that HTML5 speed tests are faster than Flash-powered versions. Flash sites won’t even run on an iPhone.

Start the Speed Test

You can select a server to run the speed test or simply use the default. If you choose a server, pick the one closest to your current location and click “Start” to begin the test. A quick file download and upload are executed to check the speed.

Record Your Speed Test Results

Be sure to save your speed test results by taking a screenshot or recording the results in a note on your smartphone. This information becomes useful if your Internet speed isn’t what it should be. Use the results to request a refund from your wireless provider if needed.

An Internet speed test on LTE is a simple process — one you should perform regularly to make sure you are getting the bandwidth you deserve. As mentioned earlier, you should also compare your 4G test results with those from your cable or DSL service. Maybe you can get a discount from your Internet provider if their service isn’t up to par?

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Comparing Internet Speeds: Faster Than the Neighbors’?

Last Updated: February 11, 2014

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Who has the fastest Internet connection in your neighborhood? Are you the trailblazer, leaving everyone else in the dust, or does your connection lag behind? When it comes to comparing Internet speeds, how do you find out if you or the neighbors come out on top?

Speed Basics

Internet connection speeds are typically measured in transfer rates of megabits per second (Mbps) and include two values, one for download speed and one for upload speed. Downloads are always faster than uploads, and usually by a wide margin. If your connection has a 1 Mbps download speed, for example, this means you’re able to transfer one megabit of data from the Internet to your computer every second. It’s important to note, however, that most providers advertise the highest possible speed of their connections when they sell plans. This means 1 Mbps would be the maximum you’d ever see — and it wouldn’t happen very often.

Most residential broadband Internet plans rely on ADSL or cable connections, which use phone lines and coaxial television cables, respectively. Both can offer speeds from 5 Mbps up to 30, 40, or even 50 Mbps — with some providers now pushing ADSL into the hundred-megabit range. Cable connections often have higher maximum speeds, but their speed suffers when multiple users are connected at the same time, since there’s usually just a single cable “pipeline” running out of a neighborhood back to the provider. ADSL connections, meanwhile, offer dedicated service. Fiber-optic connections are also available in some major urban centers and offer download speeds of 500 Mbps or more.

Passing the Neighbors

When it comes to comparing Internet speeds with your neighbors, the first question is connection type. If they’re using fiber-optic and you’re on cable, they’ll have a faster connection. If you’re both using ADSL but they choose to connect wirelessly and you don’t, chances are you come out ahead because WiFi strength and speed depends on how far you are from the router, how many people are trying to connect, and how many other wireless networks are currently active. If you have a wireless-enabled device, scan your neighborhood for signals and see which ones are the strongest; this may indicate a powerful router, solid connection, or combination of both.

The easiest way to compare Internet speeds is for you and your neighbor to use a free online speed test and see who comes out ahead. These tests report the actual download and upload rates of your connection, giving you an idea of how it performs day to day. If you find yourself consistently behind the neighbors or wanting for speed despite a solid service plan, it may be time to switch providers. The increasing availability of fiber-optic networks and improved ADSL speeds mean companies are now courting average Internet users looking for above-average speed.

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Internet Speed Test: 3G, 4G, LTE, and Wifi — Who Wins?

Last Updated: February 10, 2014

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If you’re using a tablet or smartphone, chances are you’ve got more than one way to connect to the Web; the latest devices offer not only 4G connectivity but 3G compatibility and WiFi. But which connection type is fastest? If you run an Internet speed test, who comes out on top?

3G Versus 4G

First generation (1G) cellular devices were analog phones. Second generation (2G) introduced digital along with limited Internet connectivity. In the third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G), however, things got interesting. Both 3G- and 4G-enabled devices offer broadband access to the Internet but have very different speed standards. To be qualified as 3G, a network’s peak transfer rates only need to reach 200 kilobits per second (Kbps). If this sounds slow, it is — the standard was established in 2003. Many 3G networks now offer speeds ten or twelve times that fast. 4G networks, meanwhile, must offer transfer rates 100 megabits per second (Mbps) when users are “mobile,” for example, in cars or buses, and 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) when users are stationary. It’s important to note that these are “peak” values, meaning distance from the connection’s source, number of users connected, and even weather can all impact transfer rates. In addition, there are multiple 4G networks in operation.

Understanding LTE

LTE, which stands for long-term evolution, is one of three major 4G networks used in the United States. HSPA+ and WiMAX are the other two contenders, and each claims to be the most reliable solution for 4G users. By the numbers, LTE comes in with the highest theoretical top-end, offering 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload speeds. WiMAX is next, with 75 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, followed by HSPA+ at 42 and 23, respectively. On paper, this means a slam-dunk for LTE, but some experts argue it’s not so simple. Again, these are peak values, meaning transfer rates no normal user will see. Instead, it’s more likely that all three networks will provide speeds in the mid-to-high single-digit range (5–9 Mbps) on average. While it’s too early to call an Internet speed test winner among 4G networks, LTE is by far the most popular.

What About WiFi?

In addition to 3G and 4G cellular networks, most mobile devices can also connect to wireless (WiFi) networks. The speed of these connections depends on the signal provided and the type of network card installed in the device. Maximum wireless speeds are governed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.11. Cards using the 802.11b standard can reach 11 Mbps, those using 802.11a or 802.11g can reach 54 Mbps, and those running on 802.11n have a theoretical maximum of 600 Mbps. A small number of devices also use the 802.11ac standard, which offers a blazing 1,300 Mbps at its upper end. Just like 3G and 4G networks, however, several factors impact overall speed. Distance to the wireless source, interference from other wireless networks, and number of users sharing the same bandwidth may all conspire to limit speed. Realistically, users with an 802.11a or 802.11g connection can expect 20 Mbps download, while 802.11n should get 40 to 50 Mbps.

So who wins the Internet speed test? At small distances, with an 802.11a or better network card, WiFi comes out ahead. Beyond the reach of wireless, however, 4G LTE offers the best connection and the most coverage, but its scope is still fairly limited. Think of 3G like the tortoise in this race; slow but steady, and still reliable — and still providing service for the bulk of mobile users.

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Measuring Your Internet Speed Test Ping Rate

Last Updated: February 6, 2014

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If you’ve ever played an online game, chances are you’ve seen the term “ping rate” in your games, but you may not know what it means. When it comes to an Internet speed test, ping rate is simply the delay of messages sent between computers, so a low ping rate is ideal. Your ping rates will vary based on the quality of your Internet connection and the distance between the server and your computer. Aside from determining how well your computer communicates with other computers, ping rates also can be used to troubleshoot Internet connections.

Does Internet Speed Test Ping Rate Matter?

As mentioned above, having a low ping is crucial when playing online games because a slow Internet connection can prevent you from being allowed on many multiplayer servers. This is because many multiplayer servers are programmed to kick players with high ping to prevent lag and other performance issues. In some cases, high ping is an indication a user is trying to cheat on a game. These performance factors are all reasons online games typically will display players’ pings for all to see.

Aside from online gaming, ping rates apply to virtually any type of Internet activity — be it loading websites or streaming videos. Since ping is an indication of how fast an Internet connection is, it can impact virtually everything in cyberspace.

The Importance of a Responsive Speed Test

When you run an Internet speed test, ping rate is usually shown alongside Internet speed, so it is easy to determine your ping. The reason you want to use a responsive tool is that you’ll be sure that you’re getting uniform test results regardless of if you are on a desktop or mobile device. Additionally, since responsive tests run completely in your browser, you can even run them on a gaming console or smart TV. Having this ability will greatly help you troubleshoot any issues that come up with your Internet connection.