Different cables give different speeds. Here are the main ones:

1. Fibre optic cables:

   • Made from very thin strands of glass.

   • Send data using light signals, which makes them super fast and very reliable.

   • Used for high-speed internet in homes, schools, and businesses.

   • Can send data over long distances without losing speed.
     
     

2. Copper cables:

   • Used in older Ethernet networks and telephone lines.

   • Carry data using electric signals.

   • Slower than fibre and not as good over long distances.

   • Can be affected by interference from other devices or power cables.
     
     

Example: Fibre optic cables can download a 2-hour movie in HD in under 2 minutes. Copper cables might take 10–15 minutes or more.

Wireless means no cables at all. It’s more flexible—you can move around, connect from anywhere—but it can also be less reliable.

1. Wi-Fi:

   • Most common wireless connection in homes and schools.

   • Connects devices to the internet using radio waves from a router.

   • Speed and strength can be affected by:

     • Walls and floors

     • Distance from the router

     • Other electronic devices like microwaves, cordless phones, or even fish tanks!
       
       

2. Bluetooth:

   • Short-range connection for pairing devices like headphones, smartwatches, keyboards, or speakers.

   • Usually works up to 10 metres.
     
     

Example: If your Wi-Fi router is in the living room and you're in a bedroom upstairs, your phone might struggle with signal—especially if the doors are closed or the house has thick walls.

Buffering is what happens when your device can’t load data fast enough, especially during video or audio streaming. To avoid playback pausing, your device stores a few seconds of the content in a buffer before starting to play it. If the internet connection isn’t fast enough, the buffer runs out—and the video freezes or stutters.

You’ve probably seen the spinning circle when trying to watch YouTube or Netflix. That’s buffering in action.

Common causes:

• Too many users on the network

• Weak Wi-Fi signal

• Low bandwidth from your internet provider

• Background apps using data (like automatic updates)
  
  

Example: If you’re watching YouTube on your tablet and your sibling starts downloading a big game update on the PlayStation, your video might start buffering.

You can test your internet speed using free sites like speedtest.net or fast.com. These sites check two key things:

• Download speed – how fast you can receive data from the internet. This matters for:

  • Watching Netflix

  • Browsing websites

  • Downloading games or apps
    
    

• Upload speed – how fast you can send data to the internet. This is important for:

  • Sending photos or emails

  • Uploading videos

  • Playing online games or video calling
    
    

Tip: Many internet connections have fast download speeds but much slower upload speeds—and that’s usually fine unless you’re a content creator or streamer.

• Bandwidth is like the width of a road: more lanes = faster traffic.

• Fibre optic cables are faster, more stable, and better over long distances than copper.

• Wireless connections are more flexible but can be interrupted by physical barriers or interference.

• Buffering means the device is waiting for more data—it often happens when the internet is too slow.

• Download speed affects watching and browsing. Upload speed affects sending and calling.