I pay for a 1 Gbps internet plan and ran a speed test over Wi‑Fi using the equipment supplied by my provider. The results were 722 Mbps download, 40.1 Mbps upload, 26 ms idle ping with 4 ms jitter, 404 ms download latency with 75 ms jitter, 14 ms upload latency with 6 ms jitter, and 8.3% packet loss. Are these results reasonable, or should I replace or upgrade some equipment? I'm also only getting around 8–20 Mbps when downloading games on my Xbox Series S, and I'm not very familiar with what all the test results mean.
4 Answers
The download and upload numbers can be normal over Wi‑Fi, especially if your connection is cable rather than fiber. Providers usually advertise speeds as “up to” the listed amount, and Wi‑Fi will rarely reach the full plan speed. A wired Ethernet test directly from the router would show what the connection and modem can actually deliver.
A speed test measures the connection to that particular test server, not necessarily the speed of every download. Xbox game downloads can be limited by the game server, Xbox network conditions, storage performance, or Wi‑Fi interference. Still, 8–20 Mbps is much lower than your speed-test result, so compare it with a wired Xbox connection or test another device before blaming the plan.
If the connection is satellite or cellular, those latency numbers may be expected, but if it’s cable or fiber they deserve investigation. Also make sure the test device is close to the router and connected to the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band. Walls, distance, crowded channels, and other wireless devices can reduce throughput and increase packet loss.
The biggest problem here is the 8.3% packet loss, along with the 404 ms download latency and 75 ms jitter. Packet loss should normally be close to zero, because it can cause lag, disconnects, and poor gaming performance. Run the test with Ethernet if possible, then test again near the router and farther away. If the loss remains on a wired connection, contact the provider and have them check the line or gateway.
That may explain why gaming feels inconsistent. I’ll try testing with a wired connection before replacing anything.
The exact test method matters too. Check whether the 8.3% loss appears only during the speed test or also during a continuous ping. If it occurs on multiple wired devices, it is much more likely to be an ISP or router issue.