When your business pays for a certain internet speed but experiences slower connections, it can be frustrating and disruptive. The speed advertised by your internet service provider (ISP) is typically the maximum or "up to" speed under ideal conditions, not a guaranteed constant rate. Various factors within your network, equipment, or even external infrastructure can reduce the actual speed you get at any given time.
Why slower internet affects your business
For Australian small and mid-sized businesses, slower internet can directly impact productivity and customer experience. Staff may face delays when accessing cloud applications, sending emails, or processing transactions, which can lead to frustration and lost time. If your business relies on video calls, online ordering, or real-time data, slow speeds can cause interruptions or errors. Over time, this can erode customer trust and even increase cyber risk if employees try to bypass security measures to speed things up.
A typical scenario
Consider a Melbourne-based accounting firm with 30 employees using cloud accounting software and VoIP phones. They pay for a 100 Mbps business-grade internet plan but notice frequent slowdowns during peak hours. Their IT provider investigates and finds that the office Wi-Fi is congested, some devices are running bandwidth-heavy updates, and the ISP's local node is overloaded. The IT partner works with the ISP to upgrade the connection and implements network management tools to prioritise critical business apps, improving speed and reliability.
Checklist: What you can do to diagnose and improve internet speed
- Ask your IT provider: What is the actual average speed we receive versus what we pay for? Do you monitor network performance regularly?
- Check your network setup: Are routers and switches business-grade and up to date? Is Wi-Fi coverage adequate and not overloaded?
- Review device usage: Are there devices or applications consuming excessive bandwidth (e.g., automatic updates, backups)?
- Test speed internally: Use online speed tests during different times of day to identify patterns.
- Evaluate your ISP: Is the ISP's service level agreement (SLA) clear about minimum speeds and support response times?
- Consider network management tools: Can your IT provider implement Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritise critical traffic?
Slower internet than expected is a common issue but one that can be managed effectively with the right approach. Speaking with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor can help you understand your current network performance, identify bottlenecks, and plan improvements tailored to your business needs. This proactive approach supports smoother operations and helps protect your business reputation and productivity.