More Than Just Speed: What Makes a Great Internet Experience
In the broadband industry, marketing tends to focus on one thing — speed. Faster download speeds are advertised as the ultimate solution, pushing customers to upgrade their plans. But while speed is important, it’s not the only factor that determines a great internet experience. At Intermax Networks, we believe in looking at the full picture. Here are some key factors that often get overlooked but are just as important as speed.
Upload Speed: The Unsung Hero
While download speeds get all the attention, upload speeds are just as critical, especially for video calls, gaming, cloud backups, and remote work. Many customers upgrade to faster download speeds, hoping to fix buffering or lag, when the real issue is slow upload speeds. Unlike cable and DSL providers that offer asymmetrical speeds (fast downloads but sluggish uploads), fiber provides symmetrical speeds, ensuring smooth two-way data flow.
Network Congestion & Oversubscription
Most broadband connections share bandwidth among multiple users. If too many households are using the internet at once, streaming, gaming, or working from home, it can slow everything down. Unfortunately, most ISPs don’t disclose how much bandwidth is shared in your neighborhood. Intermax actively manages our network to minimize congestion, ensuring consistent performance even during peak hours.
Latency: The Invisible Lag
Latency refers to the delay in data traveling from its source to your device. High latency can cause lag in video calls, gaming, and real-time applications, even if your speed test shows high speeds. This is often the real culprit behind choppy Zoom calls or buffering streams, not slow download speeds. Our fiber network is designed to keep latency low, ensuring a seamless experience for all your online activities.
Prioritization & Throttling
Some providers limit speeds during high-traffic periods or prioritize certain types of traffic over others. For example, fixed wireless providers may throttle home internet users in favor of mobile users, and satellite providers prioritize residential users over travelers. We don’t engage in deceptive throttling, we provide the speeds you pay for when you need them.
Your Home Network: The Last Mile
A strong ISP connection is only as good as your home network. If you have an outdated WiFi router or weak signal coverage, your speeds will suffer regardless of your plan. Many performance issues stem from poor home WiFi setups rather than the ISP itself. Investing in a quality router, mesh network, or WiFi extender can dramatically improve your experience. Need help? Learn more about our Home Equipment, and our team can guide you to the right solution.
Reliability: The Most Important Factor
Even the fastest speeds mean nothing if your connection is unreliable. Frequent outages, slowdowns, or downtime during critical moments can be frustrating. At Intermax, reliability is our top priority. We continuously invest in our infrastructure to deliver a stable, high-performance connection, because a great internet experience isn’t just about speed, it’s about dependability.
At the end of the day, a great internet connection is about more than just raw speed, it’s about consistency, reliability, and a network that works for your needs. We are committed to delivering an experience that goes beyond marketing hype, ensuring you stay connected when it matters most.
Find Connection with Intermax Networks
Locally owned and operated since 2001, we’re proud to offer high-speed wireless internet, fiber, voice services, and more to thousands of residential and commercial customers. Headquartered in Coeur d’Alene with offices in Spokane, Seattle, Sandpoint, and St. Maries, Intermax is the locals’ choice for reliable service in hard-to-reach places.
Our friendly support team is here to answer any questions you may have. Visit Intermax Networks, or call us at (208) 568-7979 today!
