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Speed test by ISP, device, or city

Results can vary wildly by provider, hardware, and where you live. Use the guidance below to interpret your SwiftSpeedTest results in context.

Set expectations by ISP

  • Fiber ISPs (Verizon Fios, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber) routinely hit 90-100% of advertised speeds with sub-20 ms ping.
  • Cable ISPs may see peak congestion; results below 70% of plan speed during busy hours warrant support tickets.
  • Fixed wireless and 5G home internet often fluctuate-test at multiple times to find the most stable windows.

Device-specific tips

  • Older Wi-Fi 4/5 adapters cap at lower speeds even on gigabit plans-upgrade to Wi-Fi 6/6E hardware where possible.
  • Smartphones throttle when batteries are low or overheated; cool them down or plug in before testing.
  • Streaming boxes benefit from Ethernet adapters to eliminate interference and dropouts.

City-level troubleshooting

  • Urban apartments: scan for cleaner Wi-Fi channels and consider mesh systems to beat concrete walls.
  • Suburban homes: place the router centrally and elevate it to avoid furniture absorption.
  • Rural users: align directional antennas precisely and keep firmware updated for LTE/5G gateways.

Link back to the tool

  • After each change, re-run SwiftSpeedTest and log your readings to spot trends.