Most households today have internet speeds between 100 and 200 Mbps. This speed is enough to accommodate up to five users simultaneously. Nevertheless, some families find this insufficient, mainly when one or more families work from home or are gamers.
However, when comparing residential internet plans, people must also know that factors other than speed also need consideration. Latency and location are of importance. Furthermore, the download speed may be 20 to 50 percent less than advertised. Wireless interference and fade are always issues when a person moves further from the router. To account for this, people should choose a speed higher than they need.
What is Mbps, and Why Is It Important?
Mbps is the abbreviation for megabits per second, the standard bandwidth measure for residential internet connections. Residential internet speeds range from 10 to 1,000 Mbps. Men and women who do nothing more than check their email and surf the web need between one and five Mbps. Five to 25 Mbps are needed to stream HD content, and streaming 4K content requires a minimum of 40 Mbps.
According to the FCC, a broadband connection offers 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads. However, families with four or more people using the internet connection need more. The amount required depends on the number of household members, the number of connected devices, and what the devices are used for.
Fast Internet
The FCC definition only outlines the speeds needed for a connection to be considered broadband. However, an internet connection must be above 100 Mbps to be considered fast. Gigabit services must offer 1 Gbps, the equivalent of 1,000 Mbps. Most families don’t need this speed, but those who frequently upload large files, gamers, and large households benefit from this service.
Upload and Download Speed
Many individuals remain unaware that upload and download speeds often differ with internet service providers. Download speeds determine how fast information is received from the internet. Upload speeds refer to the time needed for a device in the household to send information to the internet. Downloads include web pages and videos. Uploads refer to documents sent via email and large files transmitted to other parties. Most internet providers advertise the download speed but not the upload speed.
Is 25 Mbps Enough?
People often ask if 25 Mbps is enough speed. Nobody can answer this question definitively without knowing how household users use the internet. A single person might find this sufficient, but a family with six people will find they cannot stream without buffering, and web pages take a long time to load. The number of devices connected to the internet also impacts the speed needed.
Location
The location also impacts internet speed. The distance between the home and the internet provider’s central hub influences the speed. The further one is from this hub, the slower the internet service. Individuals should check several providers to see which speeds can be offered, as one central hub may be significantly closer to the home than others, allowing that provider to offer higher speeds.
Households need a minimum of 25 Mbps, but many residences benefit from higher speeds. Compare several providers and plans to find a service that offers excellent speed at an affordable price and a central hub close to the home. Those who do find they have internet they can count on.
