I have had a number of clients asking questions related to internet bandwidth lately, and I thought I would try and explain it here.  The reason for the questions, is probably the result of the recent CRTC decisions, and the subsequent reversal by the Supreme Court.  If you are unware of what I am talking about, then you should probably check out this article at the CBC first.

The first question I get asked is… “What is difference between Internet Bandwidth and Internet Useage?”  Well, bandwidth is just what it sounds like… the width of your band of internet.  You will also hear it referred to as your download and upload speeds.  In a nutshell, the wider the band, the faster the internet.  Internet useage is the amount of data that has been uploaded or downloaded.

I find that using an analogy sometimes helps.  You could compare your bandwidth to a highway – the more lanes the road has, the more cars can travel it.  Internet useage would be the number of cars that have travelled that road in a month.

When you are looking at internet companies, you want to compare price for sure, but also look at their bandwidth speeds and if they enforce monthly useage-based billing.  If you are an ocassional internet user, then speed and useage will probably not be an issue, but if you want to download music or movies, or watch streaming TV or videos, your monthly bill could be outrageous.

If you want to keep an eye on your current internet connection, you can use the following tools: SpeedTest.net and Bandwidth Monitor

SpeedTest is a great site to test your internet connection speed.  First, find out what speeds are are supposed to be getting, based on the package you are paying for.  Then run the test, a few times, at different times during the day.  Bear in mind that you will rarely get the speed that is promised, but it should not be more than 25% less.  If it is, then you have a right to complain.

Bandwidth Monitor is a nifty little tool that will monitor the amount of data that you are uploading and downloading.  You will have to install this on every computer that used the internet, and add up the totals from each machine to get the true total.  This tool will not monitor the internet useage of gaming consoles, smart phones or other internet-capable devices, but it might help you figure out the internet ‘hog’.

If you are not happy with your current internet provider, it is your right to call and complain.  If you do not get any satisfaction, then look at switching providers.  There are lots of smaller internet companies that do not have monthly useage-based billing and have very reasonable pricing.  Their quality of customer service is usually better as well.