Terms like bandwidth and latency are often thrown around in discussions about website speeds, yet relatively few of us understand what these words really mean – and why they matter so much to businesses.
If you’re looking to reduce the speed of your site and improve the user experience you’re able to offer (and let’s face it – who isn’t!), you’ll need to know about bandwidth and latency. Both bandwidth and latency have a huge bearing on your network’s capabilities. Once you know what they are, how they work and why they differ, you’ll soon see why.
Read on and we’ll explain more about what we mean when we talk about bandwidth and latency and why they’re so important to your website.
We’re here to help explain the jargon and equip you with all the tools you need to provide an unforgettable customer experience.
What Does Bandwidth Mean?
Simply put, bandwidth is a term used to describe the transfer speed of data. Measured in Mbps (megabits per second) or Gbps (gigabits per second), it’s a particular rate indicating how much data can be transferred over a set period.
We usually see the rate measured over a period of one second, and the result will be a certain number of megabits or gigabits, depending on how fast the data transfer is.
The history of the term bandwidth is interesting. The word derives from something that was used to dictate how fast data could travel – the width of a communication band.
In the past, the width of this band would determine the upper limit of transfer speed, and thus, the term ‘bandwidth’ was born.
To this day, it’s still used to talk about how data is transferred.
What Does The Term Latency Mean?
When we talk about latency, we’re referring to the period of time that it takes for data to move from the point at which it originates to its final destination. Latency is another factor that has a huge bearing on how fast a website is, yet it’s actually mentioned far less than bandwidth.
The time that this journey takes depends on the distance that data needs to travel, and in this case we’re actually talking about physical distance. Data needs to move through all kinds of different cords and networks to get where it needs to be. The time it takes to go from point A to point B is governed by latency.
When we hear of latency, we’re often describing a problem that is hampering a user’s experience. Often, we’ll use the term latency to explain that an action is taking longer than we would like, and thus data is taking too long to complete its journey. Latency is something that we’re always seeking to reduce, in order to improve a site and optimise the user experience.
There are of course many different factors that will affect latency, several of which may limit how far latency can be reduced. However, if decreasing latency is a key goal of your business, it’s well worth exploring the options available to you to find out how this can be done.
Often, simple changes can be made which will make a huge difference to the end user’s experience, so we always recommend doing your research and talking to the experts to find out what you can do to optimise your site.
How Do Bandwidth and Latency Differ?
Bandwidth and latency both impact a network’s speed but for different reasons. While a high bandwidth means a network is potentially capable of fast data transfer speeds, latency can still throw a spanner in the works—no matter how high the bandwidth is.
Bandwidth remains an important factor in determining the speed of connections, and of course it’s still key to web transfer speeds. However, connection speed isn’t controlled by bandwidth alone. There are several other factors that can have a real impact on how fast data can be transferred.
The amount of data that can be moved is controlled by bandwidth. However the speed it takes for that data to go from one place to another is determined by latency. So, as you can imagine, both must be optimised to provide the best possible experience for the end user.
In the not too distant past, developers only really worried about bandwidth when they considered speed. But things have changed in recent years, and that’s largely down to improvements in our internet connections at home.
Bandwidth has been rising steadily over the years, and therefore hasn’t been quite as limiting in terms of speed as it once had been. But of course latency also has a role to play in how fast data can be transferred. With bandwidth on the rise, latency has become more pivotal in deciding how fast data can move.
Latency is a key determining factor in the speed of many sites now. Because latency is determined by a physical distance, it will, of course, limit what is possible in terms of data transfer.
So, it’s vital that businesses understand latency and know why it matters as much as bandwidth. By thinking about how latency can be reduced, you’ll be well on your way to providing a better experience for your customers.
Technical Solutions to Optimize Bandwidth and Latency
Improving your network’s performance involves a mix of strategies. Here’s a deeper look into each solution:
Quality of Service (QoS)
QoS settings on routers help prioritize traffic based on type. For instance, you can prioritize VoIP calls and video streaming over less critical activities like file downloads.
This ensures essential applications run smoothly without lag.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
CDNs work by storing cached versions of your content across various global servers.
When a user requests your site, the CDN delivers it from the nearest server, drastically reducing load times. Services like Cloudflare, Akamai, and Amazon CloudFront are popular choices.
Network Optimization Tools
Tools such as Riverbed and Silver Peak optimize data flow across the network.
They compress data, eliminate redundancies, and ensure efficient traffic management, which helps make better use of available bandwidth and reduce latency.
Infrastructure Upgrades
Upgrading network infrastructure can be a game-changer. Investing in high-speed routers and switches and using fiber optic cables can greatly increase data transmission speeds and reduce latency.
Fiber optics, in particular, offer faster and more reliable connections compared to traditional copper cables.
Load Balancing
Load balancers distribute incoming network traffic across multiple servers. This prevents any single server from becoming a bottleneck and ensures better overall performance.
Popular load balancers include NGINX, HAProxy, and F5 Networks.
Caching and Compression
Implementing server-side caching can significantly reduce data retrieval times. Techniques such as browser caching and server-side caching (using tools like Varnish or Redis) store frequently accessed data closer to the user.
Data compression methods like Gzip reduce the size of the data being transmitted, speeding up load times.
Top Tips for Improving Your Connection Speed
Improving your internet connection speed can make a big difference in your online experience. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your connection:
Optimize Your Router Placement
Think about where your router lives. If it’s hiding in a corner or buried in a cabinet, it’s time for a change. Move it to a central spot in your home, preferably on a high shelf. This helps the Wi-Fi signal reach more areas.
Also, keep it away from things like thick walls and other electronics that can mess with the signal.
Update Firmware and Drivers
Keeping things up to date is crucial. Router manufacturers often release firmware updates that can make your router perform better and stay secure.
The same goes for your devices—updating network drivers ensures they work smoothly with your router and use the latest tech improvements.
Use a Wired Connection
For the fastest, most reliable connection, nothing beats a good old Ethernet cable. If you’re into online gaming or streaming movies in 4K, plugging your device directly into the router can make a huge difference.
It reduces lag and packet loss, giving you a smoother experience.
Upgrade Your Internet Plan
If your internet feels sluggish, especially when multiple people are online, it might be time to talk to your ISP.
A higher-speed plan can give you more bandwidth, which is essential for activities like streaming and gaming or if you have lots of smart devices in your home.
Reduce Interference
Wi-Fi interference can come from all sorts of places. To free up bandwidth, disconnect devices you’re not using.
Your router might also let you change its Wi-Fi channel. Picking a less crowded channel can help avoid interference from your neighbors’ Wi-Fi and keep your connection running smoothly.
Learn More About Bandwidth Vs Latency Today
Reducing latency isn’t always an easy task. Businesses often struggle with the logistics of this operation, particularly if latency has been causing an issue for some time.
However, there are always things that you can do to reduce latency and increase bandwidth in order to speed up your site and allow your business to flourish.
If you need any help with your site or you’d like to enhance the capabilities of your existing network, contact our team. We’re always on hand to provide expert advice and guidance, and we might just have the answer to your problem.
