What Is Good Internet Speed? Everything You Need to Know
Meta Title: What Is Good Internet Speed? Everything You Need To Know
Meta Description: Want to know if you’re getting good internet speed? Read this article about what is considered a good internet speed!
Does your internet connection slow down often and give you a tough time? And your internet service provider is not of much help either? Don’t fret! You’re not alone. With the availability of multiple services and speed tiers, picking out a good internet connection can be a challenge for most of us. We have a ton of internet providers that advertise their fastest internet plans and use them as a unique selling point. But in reality, that’s not what you get.
You spend money on choppy internet service and bad connection that leaves you high and dry most of the time. You’re paying for something that was promised but not delivered. So it’s fair to say that internet speed is the most significant factor one should consider choosing a good internet connection. But how do you know ‘what’ makes a ‘good’ internet connection? How do you know you’re getting the most of your bills?
You’ve come to the right place looking for some help. You need to equip yourself with some basic knowledge about internet speed, types, factors, and how much bandwidth you require. Once you’re armed with important information and details, you can make a trusted smart decision! So, sit back and keep reading this super basic guide to know.
What Is Good Internet Speed?
What you consider a good internet speed may not be enough for somebody else. The FCC says that for any internet connection to be considered a broadband connection, it should deliver 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed. That is what a basic good internet connection should be like.
However, some people need more Mbps while others can do with fewer Mbps, but 25 Mbps is good internet speed for everyone to begin with. Internet plans advertise download speeds. So a 25 Mbps internet plan means it’s delivering 25 Mbps of download speed. But it’s important to remember upload speeds too. 25 Mbps is the ideal speed you need to stream your favorite shows and movies on Netflix and YouTube, take part in video conferences and meetings on Skype and Zoom, and play online games with your friends on multiple devices.
If you belong to a larger household, you need to pick an internet plan that sustains the online needs of everyone at the same time. Listed below are the download speed ranges and what you can do with them. Check them out:
| Download speed | What you can do |
| 0–5 Mbps | -Check emails
-Browse the web Stream music on a single device |
| 5–40 Mbps | -Video calls on Skype and FaceTime
-Stream videos on one device at a time -Play single-player online games |
| 40–100 Mbps | -Stream HD videos on multiple devices
-Play multiplayer games online -Download and share large files |
| 100–500 Mbps | -Stream UHD videos on multiple devices
-Download and share data and large data fast – Play online multiplayer games |
| 500–1,000+ Mbps | -Do everything above on multiple devices simultaneously |
Types of Internet Connections and Their Speed
The type of internet connection you choose plays a huge role in the internet speed you get. Listed below are the common type of connections usually available to users:
Fiber Internet
It’s the fastest type of internet connection you can get. It uses fiber optic cables to transfer huge sums of data in the form of light pulses. Most fiber internet plans you see from major internet service providers deliver up to 1,000 Mbps speeds and can go up to 5000 Mbps depending on your needs. It’s also the only connection that delivers symmetrical download and upload speeds. AT&T internet packages offer some of the best fiber speeds for all your online needs. Spanish users can also enjoy AT&T Espanol internet plans in their areas and enjoy the fastest internet connection.
Cable Internet
Cable internet uses coaxial copper cables to transfer data. It’s a widely available option compared to fiber and can deliver gigabit speeds too, making it a top choice for customers with high-speed internet needs.
DSL
DSL or digital subscriber line uses telephone networks to deliver internet speeds. However, the speeds usually max out at 100 Mbps, which is relatively slower than what cable connections offer. It’s slowly becoming obsolete. However, most DSL internet providers, in recent years, are expanding their fiber services to satisfy customers.
5G
5G is a new type of internet that uses a wireless connection to deliver speeds ranging from 100 to 1000 Mbps. The availability of 5G is still under process. So, picking a 5G internet connection for your home any time soon might not be possible in many areas. However, it’s available in urban cities as it works best in densely populated areas!
4G LTE
4G is somewhat similar to 5G because both use similar mediums to transfer data from one point to another. However, the availability is dependent on the cell service available in your area. It provides slower speeds comparatively but is a great option for rural internet users who have limited options to pick from!
Fixed Wireless
Fixed wireless is a cellular-based type of internet connection, that uses the pre-existing cell towers to deliver internet signals in the form of radio waves. Fixed wireless plans max out at 50 Mbps, which is an available fallback option if you’re unable to find a cheaper or faster alternative in your area![si1]
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet is a widely available option that you can find anywhere in the US. However, the speeds are relatively slower. Rural internet users use satellite internet connections due to the lack of available options in the area.
Which Factors Affect Determine How Fast My Internet Connection Is?
3 factors determine the quality and speed of your internet connection. Speed, bandwidth, and latency. The faster the speed, the less time it takes to transfer a specific amount of data, which is the bandwidth. Hence, the less time it takes for your device to send and receive requests for information, which is the latency. So all these 3 factors work hand in hand to determine your internet connection speed and quality.
To Wrap it Up
The quality of your internet connection is determined by 3 factors – speed, latency a bandwidth. The faster the speed, the higher the bandwidth, the lower the latency, and the quicker your download and upload speeds are. Other factors that determine how fast your internet connection can be is the number of devices using the network, the type of connection you have, and the internet plan you’re subscribed to!
[si1]You mentioned 5G and 4G to be fixed wireless as well. The two, or cellular internet, are actually just wireless connections and not FIXED wireless. The two are different technologies. Please keep note of this.
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