It’s recommended that you perform a speed test on multiple occasions at different times of the day to get a better idea of your typical home internet connection speed.  

Are you addicted to Netflix? Do you often work from home? Love watching your team score the winning goal as it happens? Always playing the latest online games?

How you use the internet can have a big impact on your speed. If you’re streaming your favourite shows, playing online games or connecting with multiple devices at once, you might benefit from a higher speed tier. 

Regardless of how you use the internet, it’s also important to consider how many devices you have connected at once. More devices mean a higher speed might be a more suitable option, even if you’re not always streaming high-resolution video or downloading big files.  

There are several factors that can affect the internet speed you receive. If the speed test doesn’t show the results you expect, first make sure everything is running smoothly on your end. Common factors that can affect your speed include:

WiFi Connection: The position of your WiFi modem and the number of walls its signal must pass through can affect the speed of your home network.

Internet Congestion: Millions of Australians use the internet at any one time and this can create congestion, most commonly during peak times between 7pm and 11pm.

Hardware and Software: Technology is always changing and some older devices or modems aren’t suited to handling modern internet speeds. Make sure you use compatible hardware and software.

Overseas Content: Most websites are hosted outside Australia and this can affect your connection speed. Downloading overseas content takes longer because Australia is far away from most countries.

Viruses and Malware: In some cases, malicious software on your device can slow down your connection. Ensure your digital security is up-to-date with the latest anti-virus and malware security software.

Explore Optus Home Internet