There are many factors besides the CaribServe network that affect your test results, but if you are within 80-90% of your maximum speed the connection is considered to be working well.
Some factors that affect your performance are:
Some factors that affect your performance are:
- Your Computer (CPU, video, and browser): If you have an older computer, the components may not be up to date. The speeds on the CaribServe network may be fine. However, your computer's ability to receive and process information may happen at a slower rate. If you are running several different applications simultaneously, your computer's ability to process rapidly may also be compromised. The most common approach to resolving a slow PC is to add more memory. Remember, the faster the computer, the faster your Internet experience will be.
- Servers: the server handling the requests may be overloaded.
- Bogged down web sites: When a web site experiences a very high number of visitors, it may become unable to respond. You may receive the message: "The page cannot be displayed" or the web site will respond, but slowly. You may be able to get to and from the web site very quickly, but once at the site, processing is delayed, resulting in what appears to be slow Internet speeds.
- Your router: For whatever reason, the broadband routers today seem to need to be rebooted every now and then. We often see instances where simply power cycling the router brings speeds back to normal. If you are using a wireless router, you may be getting interference from your cordless phone. Many 2.4GHz cordless phones will interfere with the signal of a 2.4GHz wireless LAN or you could very well be picking up interference from another wireless router or device in your proximity. If you notice your Internet connection slowing down or your router becoming less responsive, you can check your router logs for evidence of virus activity.
- Internet Traffic (bottlenecks at exchange points). Traffic congestion in other parts of the Internet: When CaribServe connects you to the Internet, you become part of the largest network there is, the Internet, or the information superhighway. You share the same routes, routers, and backbones with other Internet users, worldwide. Sometimes these backbones (the "main lines" through which packets of data flow over the Internet) get overloaded with traffic, resulting in slower speeds when getting to and returning from web sites. It is similar to being stuck in rush hour traffic in a large city.
- Viruses, Spyware, Malware: Computer viruses can cause Internet performance to degrade significantly. Also, 'Adware' or 'Spyware' that gets onto your computer unknowingly when you download software, or visit infected sites, can also slow Internet speeds.
