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In today’s world, a high-speed internet connection is a must. Whether you’re working from home, streaming movies or TV shows, or just staying connected with friends and family, a fast and reliable connection is key.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right internet plan for you?
That's where HomeLinkd comes in - think of us as your one-stop shop for finding the best high speed internet plans. We offer a wide selection of TV and internet brands, so you can easily find the perfect fit for your needs. Plus, our comparison tools make it easy to see what’s available in your area and how to make the best choices.
Read on for HomeLinkd's guide to internet speed, where we'll explore more on different internet types, what Mbps speeds are right for you, and whether unlimited internet data is worth it for your needs.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as an internet connection with a download speed of at least 25 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps.
The term "broadband" was first coined in the early 1990s, and it originally referred to high-speed data services that were much faster than traditional dial-up modems.
Today, broadband is the standard for internet service, and it's available at a variety of speeds. Most households should be able to find a broadband plan with speeds of 25 Mbps or more.
If you have multiple people using the internet at the same time or if you plan on doing a lot of streaming, you may want to consider a plan with even higher speeds.
There are four main internet types:
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a type of internet that uses copper phone lines to deliver internet connectivity. It's one of the most common types of internet, and it's available in most areas.
Cable internet is a type of internet that uses the same infrastructure as cable TV. It's widely available and it tends to be faster than DSL.
Satellite internet is a type of internet that uses satellites to deliver the internet at faster speeds. It's available in most areas, but it can be more expensive than other types of internet.
Fiber optic internet is the fastest type of internet, and it uses fiber optic cables to deliver super-fast internet. It's not as widely available as other types of internet, but it's becoming more common in major cities.
High-speed internet is a necessity. It's not just for streaming movies and TV shows or browsing the web. It's also for work, school, and keeping in touch with family and friends.
If you work from home, you need fast internet to be able to upload and download files quickly. And if you have kids who are learning from home, they'll need fast, reliable internet for their online classes and homework.
Even if you don't work from home or have kids in school, you probably use the internet for a lot of things.
You might stream TV shows and movies, play online games, video chat with friends and family, or just browse the web. All of these activities require a quick connection speed.
If you're not sure how much data you need, a good rule of thumb is to look for a plan with at least 100 GB of data per month. This should be enough for most households.
When you're looking for a high-speed internet plan, it's important to know how to decide what internet speed you need. The first step is to figure out how many people will be using the internet at the same time.
If you have a family of four, you'll need a higher speed than if you're living by yourself.
The next step is to think about what you'll need internet for. If you plan on streaming a lot of movies and TV shows, you'll need a higher speed than if you just plan on browsing the web.
Finally, consider any data caps that might be in place.
Once you've considered all of these factors, you should have a good idea of what internet speed you need.
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred in a given period of time. It's measured in bits per second (bps).
Most internet plans have a bandwidth of 10 Mbps, which is enough for most activities, such as browsing the web and checking email.
However, if you do a lot of streaming or download large files, you may need a plan with higher bandwidth. For example, plans with speeds of 25 Mbps or more are best for streaming HD video.
Not sure if you need more bandwidth?
You can check your current bandwidth by running a speed test. This will show you how fast your connection is and whether you need a higher-speed plan.
Download speed is the speed at which data is downloaded from the internet to your computer, while upload speed is the speed at which data is uploaded from your computer to the internet.
In general, download speeds are much faster than upload speeds. This is because most people require faster internet for downloading content (such as streaming videos or downloading files) rather than uploading content (such as posting photos or sending emails).
However, if you plan on doing a lot of online gaming or video conferencing, you'll need a good upload speed to avoid lag.
Most broadband plans offer speeds of 25 Mbps or more, which should be enough for most households.
When choosing an internet plan, it's important to look at both the download and upload speeds. This will ensure that you have enough speed for all your needs.
Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your computer to the server and back again. It's measured in milliseconds (ms), and the lower the latency, the better.
High latency can cause problems with online gaming, video conferencing, and other real-time applications. That's because these applications require low latency to function properly.
If you have high latency, you might notice that your internet connection is slow or that your games are lagging.
To reduce latency, you can try connecting to a server that's closer to your location. For example, in the United States, you could connect to a server in Canada rather than a server in Europe.
You can also try using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi. This can help because Wi-Fi is subject to interference from other devices, which can increase latency.
If you're still having problems with latency, you may need to upgrade your internet plan to one with higher speeds.
Jitter is the variation in latency over time. It's measured as a percentage, and the lower the jitter, the better.
A high jitter can cause problems with online gaming, video conferencing, and other real-time applications. That's because these applications require a low jitter to function properly.
If you have a high jitter, you might notice that your internet connection is slow or that your games are lagging.
You can try using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi to reduce jitter. This can help because Wi-Fi is subject to interference from other devices, which can increase jitter.
If you still find yourself experiencing jitter, you may need to upgrade your internet plan to one with faster speeds.
There are a few things you can do to improve your internet speed.
1. Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.
2. Connect to a server that's closer to your location.
3. Use a router with built-in Quality of Service (QoS).
4. Disable background apps that are driving up internet usage.
5. Upgrade your internet plan to one with higher speeds.
A data cap is a limit on the amount of data you can use in a given period of time. Most data caps are set at 1,000 GB per month.
Data caps can be frustrating because they can limit how much you can do online. For example, if you have a data cap of 1 GB, you can only stream about two hours of video per day.
To avoid going over your data cap, you can monitor your usage with an internet usage meter. This will let you know how much data you've used so far in the month and how close you are to your limit.
You can also try using a less data-intensive activity, such as reading the news or checking email.
If you're still concerned about going over your data cap, you can upgrade to a plan with a higher limit.
Yes, you would need a fast connection to stream and game online. A slow internet connection would make streaming and gaming very difficult, if not impossible.
Ideally, a minimum of 25 Mbps is enough for streaming and gaming, but if you have other users connected and using the internet at the same time, your internet experience may not be as great as you imagined.
Plans with download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps - 1,000 Mbps are best for high internet usage - perfect for parents who work from home while the kids are busy streaming, gaming or learning online.
The fastest internet speed available depends on your internet type. Cable and DSL internet providers typically offer speeds up to 100 Mbps, while fiber optic providers may offer speeds up to 1 Gbps - depending on the location.
1 Gbps plans are not widely available as of yet, but there are plans to expand their availability across the United States.
Looking for a reliable and fast internet plan? HomeLinkd can help. We offer a wide selection of TV and internet brands, all the information you need on what's available in your area, and how to make the best home security choices for your unique needs.
HomeLinkd is the perfect place to start your search for your desired internet plan. We can help you compare plans from different providers and find the one that's right for you.
We also offer a variety of resources to help you understand everything you need to know about home internet, bandwidth, and so much more!
For example, check our guide on High-speed internet: Where to get the best internet in the US.
HomeLinkd's top picks of internet service providers are:
EarthLink
EarthLink's deals are designed to give you the best possible online experience. With speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, you can surf the web, stream video, and download files at lightning-fast speeds. And with unlimited data plans, you can do all of this without worrying about overage charges. So whether you're a casual internet user or a power user, there is a plan that's right for you.
CenturyLink
CenturyLink's internet packages are some of the fastest and most reliable in the business. And with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, you can rest assured that your connection will be up and running when you need it. CenturyLink's Fiber Gigabit Internet plan is only available in selected cities at the moment.
AT&T
AT&T's deals are some of the most affordable and reliable in the market. With plans offering the same upload and download speed, AT&T's internet plans are perfect for families who want to stay connected online. AT&T also offers a variety of other features with its high-speed internet plans, such as free email and web hosting, that make it one of the most comprehensive providers in the market.
Frontier's high-speed internet plans
A great fiber internet provider, Frontier offers plans that are both affordable and quick - perfect for families who want to stay connected. With speeds reaching 1,000 Mbps, you can stream your favorite movies and shows without worrying about lag.
Spectrum
No matter what speed you're looking for, Spectrum is sure to have a deal for you. And some plans come with a modem and router included! Get the speed you need with Spectrum.
ViaSat
Affordable and reliable, most of ViaSat's plans come with a standard 3 Mbps upload speed and ranges from 10 Mbps - 300 Mbps of download speed. Some internet plans might vary according to your location - but rest assured you will be getting the speed you really need with ViaSat.
HughesNet's high-speed internet plans
A well-known name in the residential internet industry, HughesNet provides up to 25 Mbps download speeds, enough to satisfy the internet needs of someone who lives alone and requires quick home internet speed.
High-speed internet is essential for many activities, such as online gaming, video conferencing, and streaming videos - so internet access is a must in almost every household.
HomeLinkd is the perfect place to start your search for your desired internet plan. We help by giving you all the information you need and thereafter offer internet deals suited to your needs from different providers.
Comparing Internet Plans with HomeLinkd is easy and free.
Start your search today to find the perfect high-speed internet plan for you.
We have a wide selection of plans to choose from, so you can find and select the perfect one to suit your needs.
There's a deal for with fast, reliable and secure internet. With dozens of plans and bundle offer to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice.
CenturyLink is your trusted provider of internet, home phone, and TV services. Whether you're at home or on the go, CenturyLink offer fast and reliable internet.
Get fast speeds, more data, and bigger savings on Viasat's reliable home internet plans!
EarthLink offer high-speed internet that’ll always keep you connected whether you're streaming your favorite shows or video chatting with friends.
AT&T offer you a variety of options to get the high-quality services you require, including DSL, fiber optic and fixed wireless networks, streaming and satellite TV services, and extensive 5G coverage.
Frontier, a leading provider of high-speed internet, TV, and phone services, offer various plans to fit your needs and budget.