10-15 years ago, Romania was known as one of the countries with the highest average internet connection speed in European and even world charts. In this regard, our country is no longer one of the “spoiled” technology developers.

Upload and download speeds have increased, but progress has been much faster in most countries. According to The Speedtest Global Index, data for August 2023 places Romania in 45th place for mobile internet (51.34 Mbps) and 14th for fixed internet (160.32 Mbps).

Even if Romania no longer enjoys an advantage in this respect, Romanians will still benefit from an increase in the number of high-speed connections. Currently, more than 8 out of 10 Romanians have Internet at home, not counting access to mobile data.

As online service providers create increasingly complex content, users often feel that they are using too slow an Internet connection for everything from communication to information and social media activities, from shopping to banking or commerce.

The need for high-speed Internet is closely related to high-quality content, for example in the field of streaming or video games. Platforms with movies and series with access based on a monthly subscription are now extremely competitive with both TV channels and cinemas. You have movies at your fingertips anywhere and anytime, even on your mobile phone, which is ideal for long-distance journeys, for example.

On the other hand, in an online casino it is easy to notice that the tables for roulette or live blackjack are always more full. Here, users can enjoy a perfect experience from any device with a decent configuration, but only if they have a very good internet connection. Thus, having a “good network” is not just a fad, but a growing necessity.

Slow internet speed? Attention to details!

One of the significant factors affecting the quality of the Internet connection is the type of connection. Cable usually provides the highest speeds when using the most advanced fiber optic network (FiOS). ISPs invest in such networks, especially in cities with high population density.

Even if you subscribe to such a fixed internet service, using a WiFi router at home can significantly reduce your internet speed. Many aspects matter, from the type of equipment to the distance from the device and even obstacles that may get in the way of the signal (physical obstacles like walls, etc.).

Even microwave ovens or cordless phones can affect the speed of your wireless Internet connection because WiFi networks operate on frequencies similar to those used by such devices.

Ask your ISP about the difference between the connection types they offer. But do not forget that the promised speed is usually only theoretical, not guaranteed, and the actual speed in practice will be much lower. But use online internet speed testing services and take action if the data you get is not satisfactory.

Problems with gadgets used to connect to the Internet

If you have solved the problems related to the connection itself and the equipment used (access point, modem, router, cables, etc.), you can analyze whether your own gadgets are working. Viruses and spyware can cause many problems and online traffic will be hampered.

Spyware can slow down your entire system when it interferes with your browser and monopolizes your Internet connection. If several such programs are running at the same time, the problem becomes serious. As for viruses, they act like living organisms, trying to reproduce and of course also using resources related to web traffic.

Internet connection speed may also depend on available computer memory, hard disk space, and other hardware and software factors. There are antivirus programs that can give a correct diagnosis of the device’s condition even for smartphones and tablets (mobile computers, for that matter).

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