As internet technology advances and expands to more areas, your choices for a faster broadband connection do too.
Network or internet congestion is the equivalent of rush hour traffic, only online. It typically happens weeknights from 7-11 PM (known as “internet peak hours”) when lots of people in your area and your home are using the internet at the same time. As a result, your internet connection can become sluggish.
Causes of internet delays
There are a variety of reasons why your internet may slow down at night. Things like outdated devices and equipment can contribute but most often, it’s a case of home and network congestion. As the amount of people using the internet for data-heavy activities like streaming entertainment, gaming, video conferencing and downloading large files increases, so does the demand for enormous amounts of bandwidth.
Additionally, more people than ever before are working from home and attending virtual school with assignments that stretch into the evening hours. Online gridlock can happen, not only due to the users in your immediate neighborhood but also the ones in your own home. Especially if you have internet speeds that don't keep up with your growing number of devices.
How to avoid internet delays during peak hours
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure your internet service provider and plan are meeting your needs. If you have several people in your home and a number of devices, you’ll want to consider upgrading to a speed plan with higher Mbps (megabits per second) or even Gbps (Gigabits per second).
As internet technology advances and expands to more areas, your choices for a faster broadband connection do too. Fiber-optic networks are becoming more widely available and offer some of the fastest and most reliable speeds around. Another benefit of fiber is that it's typically faster upload speeds, which make a difference when it comes to video conferencing, gaming and sharing. Many fiber providers offer symmetrical or close-to symmetrical upload speeds that can help alleviate long lag-times. As you rely more on the internet for your daily activities, it’s important to periodically reevaluate your internet plan to help avoid delays.