Do you need gigabit internet? When it's time to upgrade to gigabit internet

Matthew Harrington
Internet Provider Comparisons

Right now you're probably looking at this blog post with a Mbps connection (Megabits per second). It's the usual speed for a home network. But get ready to hear about high-speed internet like you've never known. A gigabit connection means you don't need to worry about buffering — ever.

Gigabit service is the new standard for speed and reliability, and it's only going to become more common in the coming years. Thing download speeds that bring you movies in seconds and not worrying about how many devices are connected but it never slows down your internet connectivity.

It's time to get gigabit! In this article,e we're diving deeper into this the high speed internet, how it's changing the internet experience across the country, whether it's available in your area and why it's worth switching to gigabit internet.

The latest wi-fi standard: What 1 Gbps internet is

Gigabit internet (also known as 1 Gbps or gigabit per second) is a type of broadband connection that offers speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. This is significantly faster than the average broadband speed in the US, which is around 40Mbps. 1Gbps is also much faster than the next fastest internet speed available, which is 500Mbps.

How 1-gigabit internet is becoming more common

As gigabit connections becomes more available, it's also becoming more affordable. In fact, the price of 1Gbps internet has dropped by nearly 50% in the last year alone. This is thanks to a number of factors, including the increasing competition among providers and the rollout of new technologies that make 1 gigabit speeds more accessible.

The benefits of gigabit internet

There are many benefits of gbps internet, including:

- Increased speed: The most obvious benefit of gigabit internet is that it's much faster than anything else on the market. This means you can do things like download large files and stream HD movies without any buffering or lag.

- Greater reliability: Gbps is also much more reliable than other types of connections. This is because it uses a fiber optic connection, which is less susceptible to interference and weather conditions.

- Unlimited data: Gbps internet plans typically come with unlimited data, so you don't have to worry about exceeding your monthly data allowance.

How do 1-gigabit internet speeds compare to other types of connections

To put 1 gigabit per second speed into perspective, here's a look at how 1Gbps speeds compare to other types of connections:

- Dial-up: 1Gbps is more than 20,000 times faster than dial-up.

- Broadband (DSL): 1Gbps is more than 25 times faster than the average broadband (DSL) speed in the US.

- Cable: 1Gbps is more than 60 times faster than the average cable internet speed in the US.

- Fiber: 1Gbps is equal to the fastest fiber internet currently available.

1 gig internet speeds are also significantly faster than what you'll get with 5G wireless, which is only expected to reach speeds of around 1Gbps.

Which internet providers offer wireless gigabit internet service plans

One gigabit plans are currently offered by a handful of internet service providers (ISPs), including AT&T, Comcast, and Google Fiber.

AT&T's 1-gigabyte plans start at $90 per month, while Comcast's 1-gigabyte plans start at $70 per month. Google Fiber's 1-gigabyte plans are the most expensive, starting at $100 per month.

How to decide if 1-gigabit internet is right for you

The decision of whether or not to upgrade to 1Gbps internet will ultimately come down to your individual needs and budget. If you frequently find yourself dealing with buffering or slow speeds, then 1Gbps internet may be worth the investment. However, if you're happy with your current speeds and don't mind paying a little bit more for 1Gbps internet, then there's no need to make the switch.

What you can do with 1-gigabit internet

There are many different things you can do with one gigabit per second speed. Here are just a few examples:

- Download large files in seconds: With 1Gbps speeds, you can download movies, TV shows, video games, and software in seconds.

- Stream 4K video: 1Gbps speeds are fast enough to stream 4K video content without any buffering or lag.

- Play online games: 1Gbps internet is fast enough for even the most demanding online gamers.

- Work from home: 1Gbps internet is perfect for working from home, as it can handle multiple devices and large file transfers.

How to find out if gigabit service is available in your area

If you're interested in 1-gigabit internet, the first step is to find out if it's available in your area.

The best way to do this is to contact your ISP and ask about 1Gbps plans. They'll be able to tell you whether or not 1Gbps internet is available in your area.

You can also use our 1Gbps broadband availability tool to check for 1Gbps plans in your area. Simply enter your address and we'll show you all of the 1Gbps plans that are available to you.

1-gigabit internet is the fastest type of internet connection currently available. It's perfect for homes with multiple devices and heavy internet users.

Which devices, modems and routers can handle gigabit speeds and which can't?

Not all devices are able to take advantage of 1Gbps speeds. In order to get 1Gbps speeds, you'll need a device that has a gigabit ethernet connection port and that's compatible with 1Gbps internet plans.

If you don't have a 1Gbps-compatible device, don't worry – most providers will either include one for free or charge a small monthly fee for the use of their equipment.

Best modems for 1Gbps internet:

- Arris SB8200: This option is fully compatible with 1Gbps internet plans and can be used with any major ISP.

- Netgear Nighthawk CM1000: This option is also fully compatible with 1Gbps internet plans and can be used with any major ISP.

- Motorola MB8600: This option is compatible with 1Gbps internet plans from Comcast, Cox, and Spectrum.

If you're not sure whether or not yours is 1Gbps-compatible, the best way to find out is to contact your ISP. They'll be able to tell you which ones are compatible with their 1Gbps plans.

Not all devices have 1Gbps Ethernet ports, but most newer laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles do. If your device doesn't have a 1Gbps Ethernet port, you'll be limited to the speeds of your Wi-Fi connection, which is typically much slower than 1Gbps.

Best routers for 1Gbps internet:

- Asus RT-AC86U: This router is fully compatible with 1Gbps internet plans and can be used with any major ISP.

- Netgear Nighthawk X10: This router is also fully compatible with 1Gbps internet plans and can be used with any major ISP.

- Linksys EA9500: This router is compatible with 1Gbps internet plans from Comcast, Cox, and Spectrum.

Best devices for 1Gbps internet:

- Laptops: Most newer laptops have 1Gbps Ethernet ports.

- Desktops: Most newer desktop computers have 1Gbps Ethernet ports.

- Gaming consoles: The PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch all have 1Gbps Ethernet ports.

If you're not sure whether or not your device has a 1Gbps Ethernet port, the best way to find out is to consult your device's manual or manufacturer.

How to conduct a speed test for gigabit broadband speeds

If you're not sure whether or not your internet connection is 1Gbps-compatible, the best way to find out is to conduct a speed test.

There are many different ways to conduct a these tests, but we recommend using Ookla's Speedtest tool. It's free to use and provides accurate results.

1. Go to www.speedtest.net in your web browser.

2. Click the "Begin Test" button.

3. Wait for the test to complete.

4. Once the test is finished, you'll see your download and upload speeds displayed on the screen.

5. Compare your results to the 1Gbps broadband speed standard.

If your download and upload speeds are close to or equal to 1Gbps, then you have 1-gigabit internet.

Keep in mind that these tests are affected by many different factors, including the time of day, your location, and the number of devices on your network. For the most accurate results, we recommend conducting multiple tests at different times of day.

Need gigabit internet? Get the fastest internet service with HomeLinkd

Gigabit internet is the future of connectivity. It's your solution to the slow internet by offering you the best speeds for your home internet (or business), it's capable of handling anything you throw at it with its incredible upload and download speeds plus its internet packages are some of the most modern. This super-fast internet is still being introduced but if gigabit internet is available where you live, we highly suggest you consider it. Who knows, when it becomes widely available then we could be looking forward to maximum speeds of 2 Gbps or even 10 gigabits!

In this post, we've taken a closer look at gigabit connectivity, how gigabit service works, the connection speed, which providers offer this type of internet access plus everything else you need to know about the Gbps service.

Want to know more about getting connected to the internet? We don't just talk about access to gigabit internet, we publish free blog posts about everything internet bandwidth, finding faster internet, fiber-optic internet services and improving your wifi speed (amongst other topics).

Visit our website to find out more.

Written by:
Matthew Harrington

I’m Matthew, your go-to tech enthusiast who loves diving deep into the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of all things technology. My day job? Breaking down complex systems so you don’t have to! When I’m not geeking out over the latest gadgets, you’ll find me exploring new coding languages or reading about future tech trends. I believe every technical problem has a solution, and I’m here to guide you through them, step by step.

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