Gigabit Internet: All You Need to Know

In this day and age, the internet has become as crucial as any other utility in our homes. But, when it comes to speeds, it can be challenging to find an internet plan that aligns with your online requirements. While some internet providers may deliver speeds up to 500 Mbps or even higher, others may impose data caps, which can become a barrier for internet users in many ways. For this reason, the gigabit internet has proven to be an ideal choice for all internet users. It doesn’t matter whether you are living in an urban or a remote area, your internet connection should work just as well under all circumstances. So, let’s find out all the details you need to know about gigabit internet plans before signing up for one.

What Is Gigabit Internet?

The term gigabit internet refers to an internet connection that can deliver download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, which is equivalent to 1 Gbps. Similarly, an internet service that offers speeds over 1 Gbps is called multi-gig internet. You can find gigabit and multi-gig internet speeds from fiber and cable internet providers. With fiber, you will get symmetrical speeds, meaning your upload speeds will be just as fast as your download speeds. However, most cable internet providers that offer gig speeds deliver upload speeds as a mere fraction of 1,000 Mbps—mostly in the range of 20-50 Mbps.

Gigabit internet works best for those connected to a network with multiple other users at the same time. In other words, it can accommodate multiple devices to perform bandwidth-intensive tasks that otherwise may strain your home network. This allows users to stream, play, and surf as much as they want without worrying about unexpected slowdowns or buffering issues. Even if you are trying to carry out basic everyday tasks, like checking emails and scrolling on social media feeds, you will notice how the pages are loading much faster than before.

Why You Should Sign Up for a Gigabit Internet Plan

With a gigabit internet connection, you can speed up the time it takes for you to complete your day-to-day online tasks. However, if you are confused about whether or not a gigabit internet plan is the right choice for you, here’s what makes it all the more worthwhile:

Ultrafast Speeds

With speeds as high as 1 Gbps, you can stream all you want! Whether you want to watch your favorite movies and TV shows in SD, HD, or UHD, your gigabit internet connection will facilitate your online needs accordingly. Besides, you can play online games with faster response rates to your commands, which will help increase your chances of winning competitive multi-player games.

Easy Access to the Cloud

Over the years, many companies have switched to cloud storage systems for data management. However, accessing the cloud may require you to have a gigabit internet connection for faster uploads and downloads. Since office-related tasks may consume a lot of speed, your best bet is to use a gigabit internet service to access cloud apps for better productivity.

Remote Working

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many working professionals are opting for work from home instead of working on-site. However, this comes with the added requirement of having a reliable internet connection with fast network speeds. In such situations, a gigabit internet plan can be a lifesaver for those working remotely. It will help you achieve your daily targets at work without overloading your network with bandwidth requirements that can go beyond your specific network’s capabilities.

Best Gigabit Internet Providers

Whether you are looking for a cable or fiber internet provider, it will be a little challenging for you to find the perfect gigabit internet plan that matches your online requirements without breaking the bank. For this reason, we have shortlisted the best gigabit internet plans from some of the top internet providers in the U.S. for you to conclude your search without further ado:

Things to Consider Before Going for a Gigabit Internet Connection

Now that you know the details about gigabit internet and providers offering the best gig plans, here are some of the points you should consider before signing up for a gigabit plan:

• Keep in mind your internet service provider (ISP) may not deliver the advertised speeds. For instance, if your ISP claims to provide 1 Gbps speeds, expect your actual speed range to be somewhere around 800 to 950 Mbps. This gap could be because of your provider, but most internet speed issues have nothing to do with your provider’s network. There could be several factors behind this, like your internet equipment may create a speed bottleneck if not working properly. Plus, equipment damage, such as bad components or ports, can also cause slowdowns.
• Another important thing is your gigabit internet connection may require you to use high-quality network equipment. This does not necessarily mean that you will be paying an arm and a leg for your new internet connection. In fact, you can even make use of your existing equipment. However, you must ensure that the connection between your modem and your router remains free of interference. You can achieve this by using an Ethernet cable as it is less susceptible to interferences that may arise with a wireless network. This way, your gigabit internet connection will facilitate you with the speeds you have signed up for.
• Next, it is essential to assess the type of devices connected to the internet. Plus, make sure your devices support the latest Wi-Fi standards. This will help improve the speeds you get as well as the pairing abilities of connected devices. With higher technology, you will get better security, resulting in better speeds.
• Lastly, you need to check whether your router supports dual-band technology or not. Since most routers in today’s world support the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, it is better to have the option to switch between the two accordingly. For better signal strength over longer distances, the 2.4 GHz band will work best for you. Whereas, if higher speeds are what you are looking for, then you should go for the 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequency band.

Effective Tips to Maximize Your Gig Speeds

Since your internet speeds are dependent on various factors, there is a chance that you may receive speeds that are much lower than the actual speeds offered by your internet provider. Therefore, we recommend you follow these tips to get the maximum speeds provided by your gigabit internet provider:

Keep Your Firmware Up to Date

Your device’s firmware updates are critical for a smooth connectivity experience. Hence, you must ensure your device works perfectly to avoid any speed issues in the future. Check the version of your device’s firmware to see if it complies with the latest standards or not. And if you can’t keep up with the regular updates provided by the manufacturer of your device, then you should enable automatic updates for a hassle-free experience. This way, your device will perform more efficiently.

Remove Unwanted Devices from the Network

If you share your in-home network with multiple users and devices, then you may have plenty of unwanted users and devices on the same network. This may include laptops or desktop PCs that are no longer in use as well as guests who visited  a few months ago. As a result, this can affect your speeds as such devices are still consuming a chunk of your bandwidth. For this reason, it is best to remove them from the list of connected devices on your network. If you can’t disconnect each device individually, then you should consider changing your Wi-Fi password as this will automatically log off all devices currently connected to your network. You can reconnect each device by entering the new password.

Relocate Your Network Equipment

At times, the speeds you get can be affected by the location of your network equipment. For instance, if you have placed your router in a corner, it may fail to carry signals to every nook and cranny of your home. This will result in slower network speeds, even if you have subscribed to a gigabit internet plan. For better signal strength, you will want to place your router in a central position—that allows signals to flow evenly across the room.

Eliminate Physical Obstructions

Your gigabit internet connection can be susceptible to various interferences that can take a toll on your network speeds. This may include electrical appliances that emit electromagnetic signals that can collide with the signals coming from your network. In addition, other objects, such as staircases, walls, furniture, or even decoration pieces can become an obstruction in the flow of signals. Therefore, you need to make sure that there is minimal interference between your router and devices connected to the network.

There You Are!

So, is Gigabit Internet worth it?

Well, if you want a fast and reliable internet connection that does not disrupt while carrying out high-speed online activities, then gigabit internet is definitely your safest best!

Depending on where you live, you will find multiple internet providers offering gigabit internet plans. Make sure you research properly, compare your options, and choose the one that best suits your needs. And if you need pro advice or support, call us at 1-855-349-9328 and get support from experts to decide which provider is a better fit for your needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which internet connection types support gigabit internet?

Fiber is the only internet type that can deliver symmetrical gigabit upload and download speeds. Cable providers can also get you gigabit downloads, but the upload speed will be slower.

Do all gigabit internet plans offer speeds of 1 Gbps?

No. Some gigabit internet plans may offer speeds up to 940 Mbps instead of 1 Gbps.

How many devices can I run with a gigabit internet connection?

Gigabit internet allows users to connect 10+ devices simultaneously without any disruption.