Spectrum internet has been slow for many reasons and factors that cannot be overlooked when comparing it to other internet service providers.
Several companies Internet service Provider in the United States including Spectrum which provides cable internet services to over tens of millions of households with its broad coverage. However, a huge number of Spectrum’s customers report slow internet speeds that are below the promised bandwidth. Here are some of the reasons that could be behind the fact that even when you have subscribed to a high Spectrum internet speed it seems to be slow.
Network Congestion
Some of the foremost causes of the slow internet in Spectrum includes the following: Network congestion. It uses shared physical structures in every neighborhood as the basis of its network. This means a large number of families, dozens or even hundreds depending on the size of your city or town, share the same cables and devices that deliver the internet connection to your house. Sometimes these family members are using the internet connection during the evenings when many households are downloading videos or files, and it may slow down. Why? While Spectrum is mostly congestion-free, locations with dense usage are likely to experience common congestion.
Equipment Issues
Issues with your modem, router, cables, or any other home networking equipment may also be the reason to slow down your Spectrum speeds. An old modem that is unable to supply the needed bandwidth or speed through the subscribed package, poor quality cables or wires that result into signal loss, interference from other wireless connections and wrong settings also affect the speed. As for the equipment, it is crucial to note that the home network should be configured to support the specific Internet plan for which the consumer pays to eliminate such problems.
Bandwidth Overselling
The second kind of congestion is caused by Spectrum selling excess bandwidth in some areas; In other words, they offer more broadband connections to the households in an area than the data capacity of the network can handle at particular periods. However, while boasting about its fast speed, the actual bandwidth is maxed out during peak hours in the evening and this slows down all the users. Leaked accounts both local and international have indicated that some major ISPs may just be inflating bandwidth by 400% in some markets.
Throttling Specific Activity
Spectrum has been found to slow down some connectivity speeds especially for specific activities on the Internet even when the networks are not congested. Before, the FCC and other state agencies penalized them for violating net neutrality rules by throttling the internet connection for streaming video services from Netflix and similar apps. This deliberate throttling aimed at particular destinations and services keeps Spectrum cable television and streaming services solidly superior.
Temporary Network Issues
It is the same as any other big telecommunication company that relies on the complex physical and software network; Spectrum can face minor technical issues. Interferences are clearly visible in the form of line damages, malfunctioning of equipment at facilities, cyber attacks, power failures, and many others that sometimes reduce or completely halt service. While glitches repair in a couple of days most of the time, some of the Spectrum customers are left with constant, intermittent connection issues.
WiFi Limitations
Although not a direct result of Spectrum, depending on WiFi can also slow down your connection as it serves as a middleman. It is important to note that WiFi comes with its own constraints such as bandwidth and range as well as reliability as compared to a wired ethernet connection. Interference from other wireless users on the same network, another neighbor’s router interrupting the internet signals, physical barriers that hinder signals, routers that are outdated and unable to handle the load, and distance from the router also have a big negative impact on the internet speeds.
Actionable Guidelines on how to get faster spectrum internet
If you feel like you're not getting the Spectrum download and upload bandwidth advertised in your plan, there are a few ways to help optimize performance:If you feel like you're not getting the Spectrum download and upload bandwidth advertised in your plan, there are a few ways to help optimize performance:
- Switch to a package with a higher speed that can meet the current demand of your household and the device.
- Call Spectrum support when the speeds seem to be lower than the advertised rate rigorously
- Run some tests when connected to modem directly using the ethernet cable to determine the problem with the WIFI.
- Any damage to cables and connections to the modems or routers should also be checked
- Disconnect and reconnect PC and media devices, reboot or reset modems and routers to eliminate software problems
- If currently available in the region opt for the business class Spectrum Internet so that better infrastructural facilities can be used.
- Restrict heavy usage of bandwidth – consuming applications such as streaming, downloads and other activities during evenings.
- Minimize overcrowding of the wireless fidelity connection by restraining the connections, increasing the routers’ power, or changing the frequency bands.
Even if Spectrum uses similar infrastructure as another company, the issue of congestion can be a problem during peak periods, but changing the patterns of using your home network can work in your favor. However, if your area looks like it tends to suffer from low constant speeds at some or all times of the day, the only permanent remedy is to move to another Internet Service Provider with a better record. The internet options that are available from AT&T, Verizon or any other fiber optic provider can also offer a faster, more reliable speed.
Call (844) 533-0888 to get a new Spectrum connection now!
