Internet Speed (updated)

I read on Reddit that people have been experiencing slower Internet speeds now that everyone is stuck at home. For me though, it appears my Internet speed has gone way up. I used to average about 30 Mbps for the longest time. I even bought a new cable modem last year since according to Cox, I’m supposed to be getting ~100 Mbps for my $80/month. I’ve just been too lazy to call them. I just ran Speedtest, and got this result:

It’s not just only this test. Running the Google speedtest gave me 162.2 Mbps download and Speakeasy speedtest shows 180.3 Mbps. I’m still paying the same monthly fee for the past several years so it must be something on the Internet provider’s side. I did notice a slow down several days ago. I think the Internet is slower in the evenings; I guess that’s when everyone is streaming video from Netflix or other services. I think I was only getting ~5 Mbps at that time.

When we moved into this house 10 years ago, I was hoping to get a fiber connection. At that time, the only fiber option was Verizon fios and they did not offer the service in my neighborhood. I then called Time Warner and they said they would have to dig up my front lawn. The only connection already in place was with Cox so I didn’t have a choice. I’ve been watching Google Fiber but they have not expanded here either. Cox is offering Gigablast for an additional $27/month which will increase my speed to 940 Mbps. I’ll need to check if my current cable modem and Wifi router can handle that. Despite what Trump says, looks like we’re going to be stuck at home for several more weeks or months.

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Just found out that I have Internet Preferred so I’m supposed to get 150 Mbps. I guess I’ve been shortchanged all this time. It also says it’s ideal for 7 devices. Ha ha! I have about 50 devices connected. Just counting TV and tablets, we have four Samsung smart TVs and five iPads. There is another service level called Internet Ultimate which gives you 300 Mbps. However, it’s the same price as Gigablast at 940 Mbps so I don’t know why it’s available. Probably Cox will raise the price of Gigablast later.