Imagine you are streaming TV or online gaming on your high speed internet, but still experiencing lag or network interruptions. You might have a bandwidth hog in the house. Between streaming, gaming, Zoom marathons, and smart gadgets – your Wi-Fi can get overwhelmed fast. The good news? With a little detective work, you can wrangle those data-hungry devices and get your internet back on track.
But what is a bandwidth hog? A bandwidth hog is any device or app that eats up more than its fair share of your internet connection. Think 4K video streaming, cloud backups running in the background, or smart security cameras constantly uploading footage.
What is Bandwidth And Why Does it Matter?
Think of your internet connection like a highway. Bandwidth is the number of lanes. Speed is how fast your car can go. The more bandwidth you have, the more data can flow at once. The higher your speed, the faster that data gets where it’s going.
If you have multiple devices or family members all doing different things, you are bound to have internet traffic jams. But even with fiber, you’ll still want to manage your bandwidth wisely. We’re here to help you identify what devices are using to take up all those lanes of traffic.
What Devices Are Bandwidth Hogs?
Some apps and devices are low-maintenance. They check a few things in the background and don’t ask for much. Others may take more than the fair share of your network. If your internet feels sluggish, chances are one (or more) of these suspects are to blame:
- Streaming services: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+
- Online gaming: Steam, Xbox, Playstation
- Video calls: Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet
- Cloud uploads and downloads: Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive
- Smart home devices: Cameras, Thermostats, Smart TVs
Even if each app or device doesn’t seem like a big deal on its own, stack them together and they can overwhelm your connection. That’s when Mercury Fiber’s fiber internet offers the bandwidth to keep everyone connected without slowing down.
Managing and Mitigating Bandwidth Hogs
Identification is only one part of the battle. It is just as important to take steps to reign in high usage devices. One way this can be done is through scheduling and controls. For example, set cloud backups to be scheduled during off hours or when network use is least expected. Another example could be to use parental controls on streaming services and video games.
When to Consider an Upgrade?
If all else fails, and bandwidth does not improve, you may have to upgrade your plan. At Mercury Fiber, we can upgrade you to our fiber network. Whether you need help choosing the right gear or want a full-home connectivity plan, our team is here to guide you. We’re proud to serve families across Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Check to see if we’re available at your home!