Understanding Wi-Fi Speeds

Speed tests measure the time it takes for data to travel between a device and a test server. Factors like the test server’s distance and capacity, device age, Wi-Fi interference and distance from the router impact result. For example, older devices with outdated Wi-Fi standards (like Wi-Fi 4) often cannot process high speeds due to outdated network cards and slower internal hardware.

As a result, even with a 1 Gig plan, such devices may only reach 100–150 Mbps, while newer devices, with Wi-Fi 6e and more efficient antennas, can fully utilize modern bandwidth and frequency ranges. The Plume Home™ App is recommended because it tests the connection from HTC’s server to your router, offering the most accurate reflection of service.

No. Variables like Wi-Fi setup, equipment, interference and device types all affect internet speeds across all providers. These are universal considerations which impact how internet speeds are experienced at home, not just with HTC.

If your home has been upgraded with HTC Smart Wi-Fi,  use the speed test through the Plume Home™ App for an accurate reading of the internet speed coming into the home.    

See how fast your internet is on any device. Remember, there are many factors that affect Wi-Fi signals, so try this speed test both by using your Wi-Fi connection and by plugging an ethernet cable directly into your router.  The results ONLY provides the speeds coming to the device you are testing through this link.

Before clicking on “GO” make sure the server shows as Horry Telephone Cooperative.

Wired (Ethernet) connections normally provide the most stable, and fastest, internet speeds, closest to the plan’s potential. Wireless (Wi-Fi) connections are subject to in-home conditions, including: signal interference; device limitations; and router or extender distance.

While convenient, it is normal for Wi-Fi connected devices to show speeds slower than those with a wired connection.

Wi-Fi speeds are affected by the number and age of devices connected, the placement of the Wi-Fi router, and interference from other equipment and even from neighbors’ home Wi-Fi. 

As fast as our Wi-Fi may be, connecting via Wi-Fi is not as fast as connecting through a wired connection.

Here are a few things to remember when trying to get the best Wi-Fi signal throughout your home:

• Position: Try to make sure your router is as near the center of your home as possible. Walls, furniture, mirrors and many other factors can degrade your signal.
• Interference: Try and keep your modem or router away from other devices that might disrupt the signal, such as microwaves, cordless telephones, gaming consoles, and baby monitors.
• Device: The age and model of your device can have a significant impact on your Wi-Fi speed. Older devices are not engineered to handle the higher speeds that the latest technology does. If someone in your house is using an older device, it could be limiting the speeds on the newer ones.
• Channel congestion: Just like a busy highway, many networks near each other can clog the airways. HTC technicians can help identify if there is a lot of congestion on your network and configure your channels for optimum performance.