Are you considering switching internet providers? How can you determine whether a faster internet speed will be supported by your router?
Over time, internet speeds have steadily improved. One gigabit per second (Gbps) or, in certain countries, 10 Gbps are possible with our available rates. To connect without any problems, you will need a router that is compatible with these speeds. In this article, we'll show you how to check if your device is compatible with a speed boost.
You should carefully assess whether you have everything you need to benefit from an upgraded internet plan before making the decision. The first thing to think about is your router, but you should also think about whether your devices, including Wi-Fi repeaters, support this speed.
It is possible that the router you currently use was provided by your internet service provider when you first signed up for service. You want to upgrade to a higher rate because your speed has increased since then. In order to benefit from this advancement, you might need to purchase an additional gadget.
- Check the Wi-Fi protocol your router uses.
The first thing you should consider is the Wi-Fi protocol it uses. These days, it's common to connect devices wirelessly. Here, you can find important differences. The latest protocol is Wi-Fi 7. It allows for theoretical speeds of up to 46 gigabits per second, which would be more than enough for a 10 gigabits per second rate.
If you have a router with Wi-Fi 6, or even Wi-Fi 5, you'll have a harder time achieving good speeds when connecting wirelessly.
- Does it have compatible Ethernet ports?
Not only will you be able to connect devices via Wi-Fi, but you can also use a network cable. In this regard, having compatible ports on your router is essential. For example, if you intend to subscribe to a 1 Gbps plan, you'll need compatible ports. Regular Gigabit Ethernet ports or even 2.5 Gbps ports won't work.
Therefore, make sure your router supports the ports that are compatible with the speed you plan to use. The type of cable you use also affects the devices you connect. However, the rule of thumb will always be the router.
In short, these are some things to keep in mind if you're changing your internet subscription and want to check whether your router is compatible. We recommend checking it carefully to avoid problems and failure to achieve the desired speed.