You’ve probably heard the word “gigabit internet” floating around lately. But what is gigabit internet?
If you’re looking for faster downloads and uploads, less buffering, and smoother streaming then it’s time to switch to gigabit internet. You’ll be able to enjoy all your favorite content without interruption – no matter how many devices are connected in your home. And since it uses a fiber-optic network, there will never be any dead zones again!
Gigabit internet is a term for high-speed broadband that can deliver data at speeds of 1 gigabyte per second or more. It’s 10 times faster than the average home connection in America, which means you can download an HD movie in less than 2 minutes and upload a photo to Facebook in about 3 seconds. That means you can download a two-hour HD movie in about five minutes!
Therefore, gigabit internet is a term used to describe the fastest available broadband speeds. It’s an upgrade from the current standard of 100 megabits per second (Mbps). Gigabit connections can deliver data at 1,000 Mbps or more.
Gigabit internet is the fastest, most reliable connection available. It’s perfect for gaming, streaming, and other online activities for several devices. But before you go any further, let us ask one more question- do you have gigabit internet?
Do I have Gigabit internet?
Gigabit internet is a term used to describe the speed of your connection.
It’s not just for gaming, streaming, and other online activities. In fact, it can be used in many different ways! To confirm if you have a gigabit internet connection, you need to conduct an internet speed test.
A speed test for a Gigabit connection will show download and upload speeds exceeding 750Mbps. However, for the best results, connect your testing device to the internet via an Ethernet cable.
Your speed test when using an Ethernet cable for connection should be within 80% of the advertised speeds. Thus your speeds should be above 750 Mbps if you are on a Gigabit subscription from your ISP.
In addition, you will need to test the speed of your connection severally at different times. This ensures that you do not do the check when the speed is the highest or lowest.
Several internet service providers in the US offer gigabit internet. This depends on the location since gigabit internet is offered via fiber connections.
Gigabit internet is good for gaming, streaming, and other online activities. You can do all of these things with several devices. But how do you know if your provider offers it?
Which internet service providers offer gigabit internet?
Several ISPs offer gigabit internet in the United States. This is because fiber connections in urban areas are widely spread. For rural areas, however, you may have to either settle for cable, DSL, or satellite internet depending on the infrastructure.
In the US, the average fixed broadband speed in 2019 was 120 Mbps download and 41 Mbps upload according to Speedtest.net.
However, since then, there has been an increase in fiber connections throughout the united states. The following providers offer gigabit internet in the United States:
| Internet Service Provider | Coverage (Connections) * | States | Fiber speeds |
| AT&T Fiber | 37,756,609 | 21 | 940 Mbps |
| Verizon Fios | 34,765,005 | 10 | 940 Mbps |
| EarthLink Fiber | 33,369,566 | 21 | 1000 Mbps |
| CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit | 25,040,007 | 53 | 1000 Mbps |
| Frontier Communications | 9,540,527 | 6 | 1000 Mbps |
| Windstream | 3,984,818 | 49 | 1000 Mbps |
| Google Fiber | 2,682,693 | 9 | 1000 Mbps |
| Metronet | 2,172,357 | 7 | 1000 Mbps |
| Optimum by Altice | 1,617,407 | 4 | 1000 Mbps |
| C Spire Fiber | 1,546,629 | 8 | 1000 Mbps |
| Cincinnati Bell | 1,497,893 | 20 | 1000 Mbps |
| Ziply Fiber | 1,386,098 | 2 | 100 Mbps |
| Consolidated Communications | 1,330,699 | 17 | 1000 Mbps |
| ACDnet | 1,124,171 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Armstrong | 1,023,844 | 6 | 1000 Mbps |
| Hawaiian Telcom | 763,324 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Sonic | 710,852 | 1 | 2000 Mbps |
| Shentel | 702,585 | 5 | 2000 Mbps |
| Wave G | 683,052 | 3 | 1000 Mbps |
| TDS Telecom | 674,651 | 24 | 1000 Mbps |
| Veracity Networks | 658,965 | 1 | 10000 Mbps |
| En-Touch Systems | 567,869 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Ultimate Internet Access | 523,958 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Point Broadband | 420,838 | 6 | 1000 Mbps |
| EPB | 363,796 | 4 | 1000 Mbps |
| Hotwire Communications | 360,388 | 15 | 1000 Mbps |
| Allo Communications | 339,894 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Peoples Telephone Cooperative | 332,948 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| North State Communications | 328,835 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Midco | 266,563 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| EATEL | 249,266 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| CTS Telecom | 242,802 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Horry Telephone Cooperative | 229,972 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| GoNetspeed | 226,449 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Arvig | 216,018 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Columbia Energy | 211,731 | 1 | 100 Mbps |
| Watch Communications | 211,425 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Campus Communications Group | 201,239 | 5 | 1000 Mbps |
| Massillon Cable TV | 199,399 | 1 | 100 Mbps |
| CentraCom | 195,682 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Ritter Communications | 186,238 | 3 | 1000 Mbps |
| LocalTel Communications | 177,236 | 1 | 100 Mbps |
| US Internet | 177,206 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Comporium Communications | 176,609 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| OzarksGo | 170,304 | 3 | 1000 Mbps |
| Hargray Communications | 169,882 | 4 | 1000 Mbps |
| Bristol Tennessee Essential Services | 156,823 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Greenlight Networks | 155,104 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| MTCO Communications | 153,685 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| i3 Broadband | 147,171 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Empire Access | 145,962 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Consolidated Fiber | 144,628 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Vexus | 138,124 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Douglas Fast Net | 134,530 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Morris Broadband | 131,912 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Summit Broadband | 131,694 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| LUS Fiber | 128,054 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Mercury Wireless | 126,904 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Twin Lakes Telephone | 116,702 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| CarolinaConnect | 116,628 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| CDE Lightband | 113,984 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| GVTC Communications | 113,471 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Brandenburg Telecom | 113,103 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Mainstream Fiber Networks | 108,549 | 1 | 2000 Mbps |
| West Carolina Tel | 105,865 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Socket Telecom | 105,689 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Plateau | 105,498 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Dalton Utilities | 102,599 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Air Advantage | 102,445 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Benton PUD | 97,360 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Owensboro Municipal Utilities | 96,656 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Midwest Connections | 96,648 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative | 92,992 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Nex-Tech | 92,718 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Home Telecom | 91,168 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Paul Bunyan Telephone | 90,630 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Skybest Communications | 86,269 | 3 | 1000 Mbps |
| Great Plains Communications | 85,370 | 4 | 1000 Mbps |
| City of Longmont | 84,647 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Pineland Telephone Company | 76,554 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Troy Cablevision | 75,436 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| South Central Rural Telephone | 74,846 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Jackson Energy Authority | 74,524 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| OEC Fiber | 74,220 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| United Services | 73,677 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| FTC | 73,642 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Ben Lomand Connect | 72,832 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Ocala Telecom | 71,098 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Co-Mo Connect | 69,479 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Orbitel Communications | 68,992 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Community Fiber Solutions | 68,669 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Acentek | 68,654 | 3 | 1000 Mbps |
| Ting | 67,517 | 5 | 1000 Mbps |
| WK&T | 65,796 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Randolph Telephone Membership Corporation | 64,706 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Race Communications | 64,468 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Golden West Telecommunications | 64,090 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Bulloch Telephone Cooperative | 63,353 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
| Highland Telephone Cooperative | 63,042 | 2 | 1000 Mbps |
| Smithville Communications | 62,931 | 1 | 1000 Mbps |
However, you will need to check your location to ensure that the ISP is offering gigabit internet in your locality. This is because these ISPs may be offering gigabit internet connections in other areas as shown in the number of states that they are active in.
Is gigabit internet worth it?
Absolutely, gigabit internet is worth your money if you work or live entertainment based on the internet. It does not come on the cheap.
The price for gigabit internet varies from one provider to another with AT&T offering Gigabit internet at $59.99 while others go as high as $200 per month.
You will definitely enjoy the gigabit capability by downloading or uploading files in a flash. This is necessary for gamers, entertainment people, and even event organizers.
However, if all you do online is surf the internet, then Gigabit internet is not worth it. Moreover, if your home or devices cannot handle the speeds, then you are better off with a lower internet speed.
The good thing about the gigabit internet is that you get the room to add more devices to your internet. This means you can go for 4K streaming devices, gaming devices and other devices that you can not use with slower internet.
Gigabit internet for gaming
It is the best internet connection for online gamers whether for fun or as a form of livelihood. In this case, you can use a VPN service and still will not get a ping. Additionally, you will be able to play any online game, even the most demanding ones, without getting latency challenges.
Casual gaming requires internet speeds of more than 25Mbps. However, if you are a serious gamer with VPN and gaming on high-internet consuming gaming, a close to a gigabit connection is necessary.
Therefore, you will be able to have the best gaming experience if you have gigabit internet. This is because gigabit internet has the least latency, high upload and download speed, low ping among others. However, for the best gaming, connect your gaming devices to the internet via a wired connection.
Gigabit internet for streaming
It is exceptional for live streaming on either 4K or 8K high-definition movies, events, and games. As discussed, you can use the service to download an HD movie within minutes. Therefore, you will be able to stream any content without latency.
It is not only excellent for streaming, but also it is exceptional for multiple streaming devices. You can simultaneously have 9 devices streaming an HD video or 2 devices streaming a 4K Ultra HD content.
This is not possible for any other connection. Multiple HD streaming devices on non-gigabit internet will cause buffering and low-quality pictures. Thus you will not be able to enjoy the experience.
Gigabit internet for uploading and downloading content
One gig internet runs at 940 Mbps. This means that you will be downloading data at a rate of 112.06 MB/second.
A gigabit connection will thus allow you to download a 500 MB video conference in around 4 seconds. In addition, you can upload a 4-minute HD video in 1 second. This means you can create content easily and share it on the internet without worrying that it will take a whole day to upload.
Furthermore, you can upload 10 photos in less than 1 second. This is excellent for the current settings where live images and media stories are so important.
Finally, you can download a 1GB file in less than 1 minute. This is because with fiber-optic internet unlike cable, DSL, or satellite internet, upload speeds are as high as 840 Mbps, freeing up bandwidth. This means you do not have to schedule downloads to times when there is less network congestion as seen in cable connections.
Thus, a gigabit connection will support up to 100 workers without getting lags or buffering.
Gigabit internet and privacy
It is not overwhelmed by VPN services for increased privacy. This is excellent for gaming, privacy, and online security.
It has been noted that VPN slows down the internet. However, for fiber gigabit connections, this will never be a challenge.
Gigabit internet connection and multiple devices
One of the most important facets of gigabit internet is the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously without buffering or lags.
However, you need to have the right equipment for the job including DOCSIS 3.1 modem, Ethernet cable, and gigabit router. For example, you will require the best router for Verizon Fios gigabit internet for excellent service.
A gigabit internet will support as many devices as there are in your home. However, for devices requiring high bandwidth such as online gaming, the connection can connect up to 3 simultaneous online gaming machines without lags.
What are the benefits of the gigabit internet?
There are several benefits of gigabit internet as compared to a connection with lower bandwidth. These include:
- Ability to use more devices: These days, there are more smart devices at home as compared to any time before. These range from refrigerators, gaming machines, streaming devices, alarms, thermostats, TVs, Coffee makers, laptops, desktop computers, smartphones, tablets, printers, smart sprinklers, and others. Every household has more than 10 smart devices. Therefore, getting an internet connection that will not disappoint with all these devices is necessary. That’s where gigabit internet comes in!
- Reduced latency and Ping: For gamers, online meetings, or streaming, there is nothing as disappointing as getting latency or ping. It is also disturbing when you are downloading content and it takes ages. Thus, getting gigabit internet will solve this since it eliminates latency and ping.
- Increase in upload speeds: Most people are working online these days. It means you may need to upload photos, videos, and other forms of content online. This is a hard task when you are using satellite, DSL, or cable internet. However, for fiber connections that offer gigabit connections, both upload and download speeds are above 940 Mbps.
- Enjoying entertainment online: With gigabit internet, you can have family members enjoying their gaming while you are also streaming. This is done without any lags, buffering, or ping! Therefore, gigabit internet offers the best entertainment for multiple users.
- Use of the current networking equipment: With gigabit internet, you can easily use a DOCSIS3.1 modem and a Wi-Fi 6 router in addition to the current generation Ethernet cables. If you use the current technologies on lower connection plans, you will be underutilizing the equipment.
- Increased reliability: Since fiber connection cables are made of glass, it is able to transmit the internet using light signals. This is different from copper cables used in DSL or cable internet which transmit electrical currents. The light signals travel faster. In addition, the copper cables break when 25 pounds of pressure are applied as compared to fiber which can withstand even 200 pounds which is 8 times the amount needed to break copper cables. This means they can withstand harsh weather conditions and protects against external interference. Furthermore, fiber connections are not affected by the distance they have to travel, unlike copper cables where packet loss is higher with distance increase.
Conclusion
Getting a gigabit internet, is the best decision you can make for your household or office. It may not add many benefits if you are just streaming or browsing the internet. However, for high-definition streaming, online gaming, and multiple users, it is the game-changer.
You also need to realize that gigabit internet comes from fiber internet. This offers more reliability, lower latency, and upload speed as compared to any other connection type. A fiber connection matches both download and upload speeds.
Finally, you can conduct a speed test to be sure that you are getting gigabit internet if you have subscribed to one. The speeds in your house or office are however influenced by the equipment such as routers, modems, and Ethernet cables that you use.
Gigabit internet FAQs
Is 1Gb internet overkill?
For most homes, gigabit internet is overkill. This is because not unless you have multiple gaming consoles or machines or multiple 4K streaming devices being used simultaneously then it is too much bandwidth. We recommend gigabit internet for multiple streaming and gaming devices.
Is gigabit internet fast enough?
Yes, it is the fastest internet available from most internet service providers. It can support multiple gaming devices and 4K streaming devices. You can have over 100 users on gigabit internet simultaneously! It is everyone’s dream since you can enjoy everything you want from your internet when you have gigabit internet.
Is 1 GB of internet good for gaming?
Of course, it is the ultimate internet speed for heavy multiple gaming devices. This will give you the best experience especially if the internet has low latency/ ping. For other internet speed plans, you can have 1-2 light gamers on 50 Mbps, 3-5 multi-player gamers on 50 to 250 Mbps, and over 5 multi-player gamers on 250 to gigabit internet.
How many Mbps is a GB?
There are 1000 megabits per second for a 1-gigabit internet (1000 Mbps/ 1G/ 1 Gig/ 1Gbps). 1 Gbps or “gig”, is 10 times faster than 100 Mbps and equal to 1,000 Mbps. The gigabit speeds are worth it for techies, streamers, and large households with multiple devices.
Why is my 1Gbps internet Slow?
Your 1 Gbps internet may be slow due to throttling by the router, poor modem, or loose cabling. Ensure that the router you are using, whether the ISP gateway (modem router) or your own router supports the gigabit speeds optimally. Otherwise, ensure you have a gigabit modem (DOCSIS 3.1 modem) and also check for loose or damaged cables.
Can I get gigabit speed over WiFi?
To take advantage of gigabit-speed plans, connect your devices via the Ethernet cable. WiFi connections will not give you the best connection when you have Gigabit plans but you can still use the wireless connections. For example, you will mostly get 75 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency band but you can get excellent speeds on the 5GHz band.