Do You Feel the Need for Speed?
Golden West will keep you connected to the internet, but for optimum performance, it’s important that you subscribe to the internet speed that meets or exceeds your needs.
How Much Speed Do You Need?
Golden West offers three residential internet speed packages of up to 25, 50 and 100 Mbps. How much speed you need depends on how you use your internet connection. When deciding, consider both the type of activity, as well as the number of users and devices online at the same time.
According to the Federal Communications Commission Broadband Speed Guide online, below are some minimum usage levels by activity:
How Do Multiple Users and Devices Impact Performance?
Think of the internet like water running through a garden hose. Cranking the tap to unleash water is akin to Golden West providing internet. At the source (the tap), you receive the maximum speed, up to 25 Mbps, for example.
As you add connected devices, the speed slows. Each device connected to the internet is like a hole in the hose, siphoning off speed. The more connected devices, the more holes, the slower your personal internet speed.
While Golden West does not have data limits, subscribed speeds limit how quickly larger amounts of information can be transferred. An internet speed upgrade can improve your internet performance, much like having a larger hose with increased water pressure allows you to water faster.
If you would like to discuss your speed needs, visit with a Golden West Member Services Representative between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 1-855-888-7777 or via the chat button on our website. We can generally upgrade speeds quickly and remotely. While the monthly subscription cost increases for more speed, there is no charge for the upgrade itself.
*Given the frequent need for multiple activities (i.e. video conference calls while downloading files, checking email and general browsing) to effectively work and learn from home, doing so can require higher speeds for best performance. This is especially true when there is more than one person working or learning from home at a time.
