How fast is good internet connection speed

However, speeds vary widely based on the internet service provider, equipment used and the quality of the phone lines leading to your home or business. Cable connections also offer high-speed internet services with fast download speeds, but they may not always attain the upload speeds of fiber-optic connections.

That can mean more lag time during online gaming and slower photo and video uploads. Between DSL, cable and fiber, fiber-optic internet speeds are the fastest available today, according to a June article from Broadband Now, an independent website which helps consumers find and compare internet services. Without a doubt, though, the biggest news in the high-speed internet world these days has to be the introduction of 5G networks. In fact, services such as Verizon 5G Home Internet already deliver wireless internet that provides ultra-fast speeds of Mbps and, depending on location, max speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

And new cities are coming online all the time. Stay tuned as the world discovers the full potential of 5G. For example, if several people in your house want to stream movies; if you often send large files for work; or if you use your connection for competitive gaming, you may want an internet speed plan with Mbps or even more.

Use our bandwidth calculator to get an estimate of the speed you actually need to stream on multiple devices at home. Online gaming is one of the few activities that require a fast upload speed. This is because the actions that you perform in-game are uploaded to a server for other players to view and interact with. Minimum internet speed requirements for gaming are usually Mbps if nobody else in the house is using up your bandwidth.

Unfortunately, slower internet plans such as these may not give you the upload speed you need for a consistently good experience. If you are the only one at home, a 25 Mbps internet plan is recommended for smooth gaming. Latency is a measurement of the amount of time it takes for data to be transmitted from one point to another. Honestly, the majority of users will likely not be impacted by latency.

Latency is more of an issue for satellite internet users as it takes longer for data to travel and is more susceptible to interference than wired internet connections i. You will likely see the term GB used in conjunction with data caps, which some providers use to limit the amount of data you can consume.

These can either be hard capped service is not available after exceeding the stated amount or soft-capped, meaning you will simply experience slower speeds — and potentially, additional charges.

Regardless of which type of service you are interested in, your physical connection has to go somewhere central before it can move on to the wider network that forms the backbone of the internet. No matter the specifics, the physical distance between your home and these meeting points can have an impact on the speed of service a particular company is able to offer.

If you live in an area where there are several services to choose from, check the speeds offered by other ISPs in your area before setting an install date.

Use our speed test tool to check your upload, download, and other key Internet performance metrics. Essentially, this service works by sending test samples of data to various remote servers, the same way you would when browsing the web.

So how much speed do you need? However, plans are constantly changing, sometimes offering faster speeds for lower prices. Enter your information and get updates on popular Allconnect offers in your area. Why do we ask for your address? Need help? Speak to one of our experts. Call: Data caps. Download speeds.

Transfers data to your home for activities like streaming, shopping and browsing social media. Mbps Megabits per second. A unit of measurement used to indicate download and upload speeds. Upload speeds. Transfer data from your home for activities like video calls, uploading large files, working on online documents and live gaming. Get the latest internet, streaming, wireless, TV and home security news directly to your inbox. Blog menu: General internet speed recommendations Internet speeds for streaming Internet speeds for online gaming Internet speeds for working from home Internet speed FAQs.

Your speed test results:. Download Speeds. Upload Speeds. Need more for the price? View providers near me Rather chat? Give us a call: Rather chat? What is ping? What is ping time? What is latency? What is Mbps? What is the difference between download and upload speeds? Allconnect: Let us compare providers for you Why should you choose Allconnect?

Get started. What to read next Read more. When is the best and worst time to be online? Our data shows you when to log on Lisa Iscrupe — 4 min read. Internet speed classifications: What counts as fast internet? David Anders — 6 min read. Advertised vs. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for internet news and promos. Sign me up By subscribing, you agree to receive Allconnect newsletter and promotional emails. Thanks for subscribing! Thanks for signing up. Check your inbox and stay tuned for deals, news and more.

Want to stay connected with the latest deals? Email address. Zip Code. Enter your address to view what's available near you Why do we ask for your address? Street address.