Do You Really Need Gigabit Internet?

Gigabit internet plans offer connection as fast as the speed of light (literally). Not only do you get insanely fast download speeds, but also equally fast upload speeds.

Upgrading your existing internet plan might sound tempting, but it comes at a cost. So, the real question is whether you need a Gigabit internet plan or not?

Before we dive into which types of users should opt for higher-tier gigabit plans, let's talk about a common misconception that often makes users believe they are getting slower speeds than the ones advertised by the internet service provider.

The Misconception Between Gbps and GBps

We’re all familiar with the concept of Megabytes and Gigabytes right? From our smartphones to our computers and, any other computing device we use, we see the storage being measured in Bytes, with a prefix like Giga or Mega used to quantify the size.

1 Byte consists of 8 Bits, which is the smallest unit of data that can be processed and stored by computers. However, a Bit by itself isn’t a lot of data, which is why computer magicians use Bytes to define data.

On the other hand, ISPs use Bits to define network speeds. This can often confuse when you get an internet plan. This is why you see ISPs advertise internet speeds in Gbps, and not GBps since you're getting internet speeds in Giga Bits per second.

So why do ISPs use Bits instead of Bytes?

The reason is simple. Data transmission is measured in Bits since it’s more meaningful to know the exact amount of data that’s sent per second rather than how much data is sent in chunks.

So, in real-world usage, 1 Gbps internet speed means that your data download speed is going to be around 125 Mbps.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about whether you need Gigabit internet for your home.

Do You Need Gigabit Internet for Gaming?

The answer depends on what types of games you play. Multiplayer games don’t use a lot of bandwidth which means that you should be fine with a lower tier internet plan. However, Gigabit internet can help you download games with larger file sizes faster, meaning that Gigabit speeds are much better for downloading games.

Multiplayer gaming uses a lot more data since the game has to communicate to the game server dozens of times per second. Still, gaming uses a lot less data compared to streaming or video calling.

Generally, a multiplayer game uses 100 Megabytes of data per hour. If you have a 100 Mbps internet connection, your online gaming experience should be great for one device. If you have multiple devices in your house that you play on, it's a good idea to get a high-tier internet plan.

While multiplayer gaming doesn’t use an insane amount of data, the story with single-player games is different.

These days, a normal AAA game can take anywhere between 50GB and 250GB of storage. This means that downloading a game can take hours if you have slow internet. God of War Ragnarök takes around 190 GB of space.

With a 100Mbps connection, it would take you more than 4 hours to download the game. On the other hand, it would only take around 25 minutes to download God of War Ragnarök with a 1 Gbps connection.

However, speed isn’t the only thing to keep in mind when looking for an ISP. There are other factors to consider for gaming internet as well.

Are Gigabit Speeds Good for Remote Work?

Remote work is a vast field, which is why not everyone needs Gigabit internet to work efficiently. A writer, business developer, or project manager shouldn't need high-speed internet. However, a video editor, software engineer, or designer may need Gigabit speeds to upload and download large files.

Video calls generally use up to 10 Mbps bandwidth. General browsing and downloading smaller files don’t need a lot of internet either. However, uploading files and video calls requires a faster upload speed. With low-tier options and cable internet, you generally get asymmetrical speeds, which means that your upload speed is lower than your download speed.

A Gigabit internet connection is great for video editors and content creators who often upload 4K or even 8K content to the cloud or platforms like YouTube. If there are multiple users in your house that use a lot of bandwidth simultaneously, getting a higher-tier internet plan is a good idea.

Is Gigabit Internet Good for Streaming?

Video streaming is something that uses the most amount of data. While streaming content on Netflix in 4K doesn't use a lot of bandwidth, livestreaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube uses a lot of data which is why opting for Gigabit speeds is a good idea.

Netflix recommends a 15 Mbps internet plan for streaming 4K content. The amount of data you need increases if you have multiple internet users at home that use a lot of data.

For people who live stream on YouTube or Twitch, Gigabit speeds are a good idea, especially if you want to stream at a higher bit rate. While the minimum required bandwidth for live streaming on twitch is lower, it's a better idea to have a faster connection to avoid any lag or stutters.

A lot of streamers tend to stream on multiple platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, and Kick, which means that you need to have a fast upload speed that also allows you to play games without lag.

Do You Need to Get a Gigabit Internet Plan?

It depends on your needs. If you're someone who streams, downloads, and uploads a lot of files regularly or plays a lot of games, getting a Gigabit plan is a good idea, especially if you have multiple users and devices at your house.

However, for most people, a 500 Mbps internet plan should suffice. We recommend getting a fiber internet plan as it’s more reliable than cable internet and also provides symmetrical speeds, which you often don’t get with cable internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gigabit Internet Overkill?

If you need an internet connection for general internet usage for a normal household, getting a Gigabit connection can be overkill. However, if you need internet for many users and download large files often, then getting Gigabit internet is a good idea.

Should I Get 5G or Gigabit Internet?

For home internet, you should opt for a Gigabit connection. 5G is the standard for mobile networks and helps provide faster, reliable connections for mobile devices. However, Gigabit internet provides high-speed internet for homes and offices. This has higher performance at a lower cost compared to 5G.

Which Wi-Fi Technology Should I Use with Gigabit Internet?

You should use a router that supports multi-gig speeds and complies with the latest Wi-Fi standards. Currently, most new routers support Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 technology with WPA 3 encryption.