Taking up the 1Gbps/2Gbps broadband plan is becoming a popular trend among consumers in Singapore as a result of telcos slashing their prices on these plans. As a response to this increase in take-up rate, IDA has announced that they will be conducting a study to measure the actual speeds of the 1Gbps/2Gbps plan. Set to roll out in September, the study will compare the actual broadband speeds of these plans to help consumers make informed decisions.
The misconception lies in the difference between paid speed and actual speed. Upgrading your plan does not necessarily mean that your download speed, for example, will increase to the paid speed. Other forms of technology has to be able to catch up in order to support this upgrade – it takes two to clap after all.
For example, some sites are hosted on servers that will not be able to support the 1Gbps/2Gbps speed. At the end of the day, you will still be limited to the capacity of these websites and servers.
Additionally, actual speed is affected by your own hardwares. Your gigabit ethernet router has to be able to handle 1Gbps/2Gbps worth of traffic. Likewise, its network ports have to be able to handle the load of a 1Gbps/2Gbps speed.
The actual broadband speed you experience will also depend on the number of devices connected to your network. At the end of the day, you will not be getting 1Gbps/2Gbps for each wired connection. At the best case scenario, 1Gbps/2Gbps is the total bandwidth of all the devices within your network.
There are a few articles that share some of the steps you can take to ensure you are maximising your broadband speed (check one here by MyRepublic).
Alternatively, if this seems to be a bit too technical and you rather not dwell into it, get the right specialist to assess all the hardware aspects.
Outsourced IT organisations like Computer Guys ensures your resources and equipments meets equilibrium. No more trial and error expenditures.
With all of this in mind, we are curious to find out the results of the study by IDA that will compare perceived speed and actual speed of the various broadband plans. Is there a huge difference between the two?
In the meantime, before you upgrade your broadband speed (if you are not on the 1Gbps or 2Gbps bandwagon already), perhaps you will want to give it a second thought. The first step to take is to find out if you will be getting what you are paying for.
