The requirements of the network are affected by the number of devices on the internet, as well as how the internet is used.
The fastest internet is not necessarily always the most sensible solution. Illustration image. Calado / Alamy Stock Photo
You should choose your home internet connection and its speed based on your needs and location. The available speeds vary greatly, and you can buy the internet as fixed or mobile. This raises the question: “What kind of internet connection should you choose?”.
– The most important thing is to know what kind of need the household has for internet connection, Elisa’s business director responsible for home connections Laura Soikkeli tells Iltalehte.
The need arises from how many devices are connected to the network and what kind of internet use they use.
Videos require the most
The thing that requires the most speed is playing videos over the network. With a faster connection, you get a more comfortable user experience from video streaming services such as Netflix. Online gaming also requires bandwidth.
– In particular, 4K-quality video and remote work web meetings require bandwidth, especially if these are done at the same time, Soikkeli states.
The speed required by the network therefore increases if a family member wants to watch a video or play a game at the same time as a remote work video conference.
Oversized?
There is no real rule of thumb for determining speed. There may not always be a real need for faster internet. According to Soikkel, a speed of 300 megabits is sufficient for many needs, and especially in two-person households this is often enough.
Soikkeli continues that in some cases, however, a higher speed than what is really needed may be taken just to be sure. However, smooth internet use is appreciated, and faster internet is usually satisfied.
– However, there are many people and preferences vary.
A faster connection is especially useful if you have a lot of smart devices at home in addition to actual network devices, such as computers. For example, robot vacuum cleaners, smart TVs and smart lighting require their own share of the internet.
Update your devices
It is good to keep network devices such as the router and modem up to date. An old device can also cause a data security risk. It would be a good idea to change the connecting devices every four years.
– If the device is old enough, security updates may not be available for it, or making them is so difficult that the user just lets it be, DNA’s director of service development Ville Partanen told Iltalehte earlier.
An old network device also slows down the network. Older devices are not necessarily capable of the same speed as what was purchased at home. The new router should be a device using WiFi 6 technology.
In larger homes, it is also good to have a wireless network amplifier if necessary. This is called a mesh system.
– This ensures a reliable and fast connection to the entire apartment, says Partanen.
Landline or mobile?
It cannot be said that any single technology is the best possible. Land is a good choice, especially in cities. The advantage of the mobile network is that it also works well in urban areas and rural areas.
There are several wireless network devices available. You can find device comparisons at, for example, Mikrobit. Outi Järvinen
Fixed broadband is the best solution, especially in apartment buildings. Installing fixed broadband requires modifications, which is, however, a long-term investment.
– Optical fiber is currently the fastest and most durable solution for fixed broadband. In this case, the information travels quickly via an optical cable, Soikkeli says.
Mobile broadband is good when fixed broadband cannot be purchased or mobile internet is desired. Currently, 5G technology offers the smoothest and most reliable connection in the mobile network.
– Mobile is a flexible solution, because you can take the router with you to the cabin if you want. You can use this right away without throwing speed.
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has published A service called Bitmittariwhere you can test the speed and quality of your internet connection.