Physical access to broadband is an important factor in accessing the Internet. However, broadband is delivered using different technologies, and the type of technology determines the range of speeds delivered to your computer. Other factors determine the speed of a connection, which affects how quickly you can access information, download files, or receive emails.
Explained: Understanding Internet Speed
The speed of your connection determines the quality of the video you watch and the audio you listen to. You will experience delays when downloading files, watching movies, and listening to music over a slow internet connection.
In the worst case, a buffering message will appear. Buffering means that the connection cannot handle the speed at which the video or file is being sent to the computer screen. The data is collected for a while before playback resumes. It is similar to how a printer collects data sent from a computer before it starts printing.
Depending on the application, the speed of your connection will determine whether it is possible to run the application effectively. A movie is no fun if it stops playing every few minutes. You need to know how fast a connection is needed to perform specific tasks and run certain programs.
