As the world moves towards a virtual future, the adoption of high-speed internet seems to gain momentum. Herein, the qualifier “high-speed” standardizes internet technology. It is important for an internet connection to be fast and reliable in this era because the needs of consumers have changed drastically. Where before they were content to wait for their dial-up internet to load, they no longer have patience for a slow and lagging connection, which can set their tight schedules back by hours and drag their chances of progressing in this fast-paced world down the drain.
This is the reason why many internet service providers, from top-of-the-line names to localized companies, advertise their offerings by highlighting the download and upload speeds. For instance, when you browse RCN internet plans, you essentially sort through the speeds promised by the provider until you come across the one that fulfills your monthly quota. But, to pick the right speed tier, you should know what internet speed is in the first place, right? This post will break down the concept of internet speed for you, so you can make the right call when comparing offers from the ISPs in your area.
What is Internet Speed?
Internet speed is the rate of transfer of data between your internet-connected devices and the World Wide Web. It is usually denoted by Mbps, which is short for megabits per second. “Mega” stands for one million and a “bit” is the smallest unit of data. Altogether, Mbps measures the transmission speed of millions of bits of data in one second.
Information travels in the form of data online. If the data travels from the web server to your web-enabled device, then this speed is called “download speed.” For instance, scrolling through social media, streaming music, or playing Clash of Clans online depends on the strength of your download speed. On the other hand, if the data flow from your web-enabled device to the web server, then this speed is called “upload speed.” For instance, sending an email, conducting a Zoom call, or storing files on the cloud relies on the potency of your upload speed.
Usually, people need more download power than upload power, because, most of the time, they are consuming content online rather than they are contributing to it. Thus, while shopping for the internet, you should select a service that delivers a higher download speed, so your web experience goes smoothly and seamlessly.
How is Speed Different from Bandwidth & Broadband?
Internet speed is often used interchangeably with “bandwidth” and “broadband,” but these are different terms entirely, even though they fall in the ambit of network technology. Bandwidth is the capacity of an internet connection. It is the quantity of data, which a connection can carry in one second. For instance, if your internet plan has a download speed of 50 Mbps, then it means that your individual connection has the potential to transfer 50 million bits of data at full capacity in one second. It is how fast your connection transmits that data in a given time.
Broadband, on the other hand, is an umbrella term. According to the Federal Communications Commission, you can call any internet connection “broadband” if it has a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and a minimum upload speed of 3 Mbps. Anything below that can’t be termed as broadband or let alone, “high-speed” internet. Whereas a dial-up connection’s average speed of 50 Kbps would still be called its, but it won’t be designated as broadband, because it can’t transmit data at a broad range of frequencies, thus it’s not a “high-speed” internet connection.
What Types of Internet Speed Connections are Available?
The kind of it you ultimately get is based on the type of internet connection you have chosen for your household. Here are the most common types of connections in the market:
- Digital Subscriber Line – This connection type leverages the copper phone wiring in a community to transmit internet data to the users. DSL internet has an average download speed ranging from 6 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
- Satellite – This connection type leverages the geostationary satellites in outer space to transmit internet data wirelessly to the users. Satellite has an average download speed ranging from 25 Mbps to 150 Mbps.
- Cable – This connection type leverages the copper TV wiring in a community to transmit internet data to the users. Cable internet has an average download speed ranging from 10 Mbps to 500 Mbps.
- Fiber – This connection type leverages the fiber-optic glass or plastic wiring in a community to transmit internet data to the users. Fiber internet has an average download speed ranging from 250 Mbps to 1000 Mbps.
How to Choose the Right Internet Speed for Your Home?
Given the proliferation of speed tiers in the market, how can you know which one is the most ideal? For this, you have to evaluate your internet usage and define your speed needs, so you can pick the most suitable internet speed from the best ISP in your area. Here are the usual online activities that an average consumer carries out in a day and the internet speeds that are required to perform them optimally:
| Internet Activity | Internet-Connected Device | Internet Speed |
| Emailing | 1 | 0 to 5 Mbps |
| Streaming music | 1 | 0 to 5 Mbps |
| Google search | 1 | 0 to 5 Mbps |
| Video streaming | 1 | 5 to 50 Mbps |
| Video calling | 1 | 5 to 50 Mbps |
| Online gaming | 1 | 5 to 50 Mbps |
| Video streaming in HD quality | 2+ | 50 to 100 Mbps |
| Multiplayer gaming | 2+ | 50 to 100 Mbps |
| Downloading large files | 2+ | 50 to 100 Mbps |
| Video streaming in 4K quality | 4+ | 100 to 500 Mbps |
| Controlling smart home automation | 10+ | 500 to 1000 Mbps |
Wrapping Up
Therefore, internet speed is a core factor to consider when shopping for an internet connection. It can influence your overall web experience, and either take you on cloud nine or throw you into despair. To avert this, use the aforementioned internet speed guide to select the best speed for your home, and enjoy lag-free streaming, gaming or videoconferencing, etc.
