Meta description: There is often a huge difference between the advertised „up to 1000 Mbps” and the actual internet speed. We show how ISPs measure it, what the fine print means, and how you can check your own connection.
TL;DR — Quick summary
- ISPs advertise „up to … Mbps” speeds, which refers to the theoretical maximum of the network, not the guaranteed minimum.
- Actual internet speed is influenced by many factors: network congestion, WiFi interference, router quality, and subscriber plan limitations.
- To measure real speed, use a reliable measuring tool (e.g.,. speedtest365.hu speed test), and perform multiple measurements at different times of day.
- The word „up to” is not a promise but indicates an upper limit — and in the fine print, providers reserve the right to reduce speeds.
- Digi, One, and Telekom each use different technologies and measurement methodologies — so it's worth running tests tailored to each provider.
Introduction
When choosing an internet service provider, you see enticing numbers on posters and websites: „Up to 1000 Mbps”, „Gigantic speed”, „The fastest optical network”. However, after signing the contract, many users face the reality that the actual internet speed falls far short of the advertised values. The download speed is a fraction of what was advertised, videos stutter, and game latency becomes unbearable.
But are providers cheating their customers? The answer is more nuanced than a simple „yes” or „no”. In this article, we explain in detail what speed promises really mean, how ISPs measure the connection, why you don't get the advertised speed, and how you can find out the real performance of your own network.
What does the advertised „up to … Mbps” actually mean?
The word „up to” is not a promise but an upper limit
Internet service providers use the term „up to … Mbps”, which carries an important legal nuance: this number indicates the theoretical maximum capacity of the network under ideal conditions. It does not mean that every subscriber receives this speed at all times.
What do consumer protection regulations say? In Hungary and the EU, providers are required to display both the estimated maximum and the minimum achievable speed (the so-called „generally available speed” and „minimum speed” parameters). In practice, however, many people do not read this data in the fine print.
The typical example: „Up to 1000 Mbps”
In an „up to 1000 Mbps” package, the actual speed is often:
- During peak hours: 200-400 Mbps
- Under average usage: 400-700 Mbps
- Under ideal conditions: 800-950 Mbps
Providers usually include a „fair use” clause and network management restrictions in the contract, which allow them to reduce speed in certain cases.
How do ISPs measure speed — and why doesn't it match yours?
Providers' own measurement methodology
Internet service providers typically publish speed data measured within their own network, to their central servers. This measurement does not take into account:
- Last mile losses: The quality of the cable, router, and in-home network.
- WiFi interference: Other devices, neighbors' networks, walls, and other obstacles.
- End-user device limitations: The maximum capacity of the computer or smartphone's network card.
- Network congestion: Increased load during peak hours.
Why is your measured speed lower?
Regardless of the provider, the following factors can all reduce the actual internet speed:
WiFi vs. cable connection
WiFi connection is significantly slower and less stable than an Ethernet cable connection. While a cable connection can deliver up to 950 Mbps from a gigabit package, with WiFi 5 (802.11ac) this is around 300-600 Mbps, and with WiFi 6, 600-900 Mbps is realistic, but only under ideal conditions.
Router quality
Cheap routers provided by the ISP are often unable to handle high-speed packages. A router with a weaker processor may simply drop packets during peak times.
Network congestion
Este 6 és 10 között a legtöbb felhasználó streamel, játszik vagy letölt. Ilyenkor a hálózat terhelt, és a tényleges sebességed csökkenhet.
A szolgáltató forgalomszabályozása (traffic shaping)
Egyes szolgáltatók bizonyos típusú forgalmat (pl. streaming, torrent) korlátoznak, hogy egyenletesebb hálózati teljesítményt biztosítsanak — ez is csökkentheti a mért sebességet bizonyos esetekben.
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