All about Quantum Fiber speed

To get the best possible speed and performance from your Quantum Fiber service, we strongly recommend using the gateway modem or SmartNID that we provide, paired with 360 WiFi. If you're thinking of using your own router, there are some things to know about how this can impact your performance.

 

Read on to learn what to expect, what kinds of things can impact your speed, and how to optimize your setup for speed. 

Top speed FAQs

Speed plans indicate the maximum total bandwidth you will get from our network to your modem. Depending on where you live, speed packages may include 500 Mbps, 940 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 3 Gbps and 8 Gbps.

The speeds you see from device to device will vary quite a bit based on several factors. Check out Omar's speed story to get a better sense of what's normal under different conditions. For instance, connecting over WiFi results in a slower data speed than a wired connection.

Internet speeds are not guaranteed due to conditions outside of network control, including your location, type and age of devices, other equipment used, and use of a wireless connection. See our internet policy for more information.

Many factors inside your home or business space can affect your Quantum Fiber service and influence the real-world speed you get at any given time. These factors include your devices, your connection, and the larger network.

Illustration of home network, including provider network and personal

Devices – No matter how fast your internet connection is, each device has its own individual speed limit based on when it was made and its technical specs. In some cases, the max speed of a device may be slower than your service speed, especially when you are running at gigabit speeds. For example, if your laptop only supports 100 Mbps, it will not be able to reach anywhere close to 500 Mbps.

Other things that can impact speed include processor type or operating system on a given device, your browser version if using a web browser, security firewalls, and anti-virus software. Learn more about online security and why it's essential to good performance.

Illustration of age of devices on WiFi network

Number of devices – When multiple devices are connected to your network, either wired or over WiFi, they will share the internet connection. Each one takes a portion of your available bandwidth, which then affects the speed you can get on each device. Multi-gig plans get around this issue by providing such massive bandwidth that you can connect unlimited devices without sacrificing speed on any of them.

Illustration of number of devices on WiFi network

Distance from WiFi gateway to devices – The farther a device is from your WiFi gateway (modem/router), and the more obstructions (walls, floors, etc.) between them, the slower the real-world speed will be. You will get the best WiFi signal closest to your gateway with fewer devices running.

Other WiFi networks – Multiple WiFi networks working in close proximity can cause signal interference and performance issues.

Other websites and networks you visit – Even though you purchased a specific internet speed through Quantum Fiber, other websites you visit may not provide their services at the same speed. As you stream and surf the internet, consider the following:

  • The server capacity of each website or content provider can impact speed performance.
  • Website and platform owners may pass content through other internet providers on its way to you, which can impact your end speed.
  • Visiting some websites or platforms during peak hours can lead to slower performance and lags.

  1. To optimize your WiFi network, follow the recommended setup and placement instructions for your 360 WiFi pods or for your WiFi-enabled modem.

  2. Place the gateway (modem/router) in a central location within the residence or business to maximize the coverage and away from any devices that generate signal frequencies (such as microwave ovens, etc.).

  3. Ensure the modem and/or WiFi pods have as clear a path  as possible to where most of your connected devices will be operating.

  4. Minimize the number of devices connected to the network when not in use.

  5. If your router has dual-band options, connect using the 5 GHz WiFi frequency whenever possible for higher speeds. 
Illustration of 2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz WiFi coverage

Speeds of 1 Gbps and faster are now available from the Quantum Fiber network to the modem. With mind-boggling numbers like these, the benefits come down to three major factors:

Massive bandwidth. You can connect an unlimited number of bandwidth-hungry devices and run everything at once without seeing slowdowns. And even as you add more smart devices and use more bandwidth in the future, your internet connection won’t suffer.

Ultra-fast speeds. Due to device limitations, you are unlikely to see your plan speed on any one device, but the incredible potential is real. Plans with up to 3 Gbps are measured at 15 times faster than the average U.S. download speed, with 8 Gbps clocking in at 40 times faster. So you can download and upload large files in seconds or minutes, and quickly back up data for every device without stepping on the speed on your other devices.

Low latency. Every video you stream, every multi-player game you play, every videoconference you host, or even several at once—can be used simultaneously without stepping on each other’s performance.

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