Is your current speed in the megabit range or the gigabit range? Take our internet speed test to find out! Your need for gigabit internet speeds depends on what you do online. There are many good reasons why you should get the fastest internet available , like reducing download times and improving the quality of video streams.
Streaming high-resolution video is one of the most bandwidth-intensive things you can do online. If you have people streaming on multiple devices in your home, the speed requirements can add up fast. For example, Netflix requires 25 Mbps of bandwidth per device when you stream in 4K. So if four people are streaming simultaneously, your total bandwidth is Mbps. Gigabit internet is so fast that you could have 20 people stream in 4K at the same time and use only half of your available bandwidth.
If you want to know the nitty-gritty details of speed requirements for video services, see how much speed you need to stream video. Do any providers offer gigabit internet in your area?
Enter your zip code below to find out. Video chat needs a fast connection, just like streaming 4K video. The big difference is that while Netflix needs a fast download speed, video chat needs both its upload and download speeds to be fast. This is where the type of connection becomes more important.
A gigabit cable connection probably has enough upload speed for a stable video call, but a gigabit fiber connection runs at gigabit speeds both ways. This makes it ideal for video chat like Zoom and Skype, as well as livestreaming on sites like Twitch.
If you want to find out more, check out what makes a good download and upload speed. The higher your latency, the more lag you will experience when playing. Most gigabit connections especially fiber have really low latency—but you can often get the low-latency connection you need for online games without splurging on the fastest plan available.
Game streaming is different from online gaming. Services like Stadia and PlayStation Now stream games to your devices from the cloud similar to how movies and TV shows are streamed from Netflix and Hulu. However, because games are interactive, you need good download and upload speeds for smooth gameplay. Stadia, for instance, requires a constant download speed of at least 35 Mbps to play in a 4K resolution. That can be problematic on a Mbps plan when everyone else in the house is streaming other content.
Most internet providers offer a gigabit plan. Fiber internet connections can reach 2 Gbps, but you may still be bottlenecked by the equipment you use. However, fiber has symmetrical speeds whereas cable has slower upload speeds than download. Traditionally, you'll get a much smaller pipe for uploading, which is part of the reason you can watch a 5-minute YouTube video in roughly 5 minutes, but uploading the same amount of footage can take over an hour.
Faster upload speeds are also a boon for activities such as streaming your gameplay with services like Twitch. All that data — a million bits per second — means that you can do everything you already do online, but a lot more of it, and faster. All of your usual web browsing and streaming will be supported, but with higher speeds and less congestion on your home network. That said, there are several specific uses that benefit dramatically from the new fat pipe of data that gigabit connectivity offers.
The short answer is maybe. The good news is that existing fiber and cable internet users may be able to upgrade simply by swapping out their old router for a newer gigabit-capable one. The products found on our best cable modems page primarily use the older DOCsis 3.
Fiber-based services, like Google Fiber and Verizon Fios, actually require a different modem-like piece of networking hardware, called an optical network terminal, that converts fiber-optic signal to electronic ethernet.
Without the right hardware, there is no way to get gigabit speeds. The stickier issue is that similar upgrades need to be made throughout an internet provider's infrastructure. As long as some areas are being serviced with old equipment, there will be parts of the country where gigabit speeds just aren't available.
Along those same lines, if you're still using dial-up or DSL, you're fresh out of luck. The best Wi-Fi routers can, in some instances, handle gigabit speeds — And the newer The chart below provides a comparison of different speeds and download times, via FastMetrics :.
Quite the difference, right? Twenty-five seconds sounds a lot better! What are some of the other benefits that this high-speed Internet will give you? Here are just a few from our Kinetic by Windstream team:.
Increased reliability. Remember those fiber-optic cables that Gig Internet uses to transmit data? Copper wires can only withstand about 25 pounds of pressure without being damaged, while fiber can sustain about four to eight times that pounds.
Those factors help protect your connection from outside interference, including weather conditions, moisture, fire and other electronic or radio signals. Another thing to consider? Signals over copper lines also worsen the further away you are from the source. Distance knows no bounds with a fiber connection. Latency is the period of time between when you click something and when you actually see it. One of the best benefits of high-speed Internet is lower latency, or faster page-load times.
Remember, too, that those numbers can fluctuate depending on certain variables, such as your equipment. As you saw in the chart above, Gig Internet can easily get the entertainment you crave at your fingertips. For one, gigabit speeds allow for 4K streaming, which requires much more bandwidth about five times as much than a high-definition stream. This option also opens the door for immersive media, like virtual reality or augmented reality Pokemon Go, anyone?
Some are expecting Gig Internet to expand the new-media market, giving you even more entertainment. How many people are you sharing your traditional broadband network with? Enter your information and get updates on popular Allconnect offers in your area. Why do we ask for your address? Need help? Speak to one of our experts. Call: Data caps. Download speeds. Transfers data to your home for activities like streaming, shopping and browsing social media.
Mbps Megabits per second. A unit of measurement used to indicate download and upload speeds. Upload speeds. Transfer data from your home for activities like video calls, uploading large files, working on online documents and live gaming.
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What to read next Read more. Internet speed classifications: What counts as fast internet?
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