Last Updated on September 8, 2023 by Tomas
When looking for suitable internet for your workplace or home, you’ll likely consider 1000 megabits per second (Mbps) as a potential option.
But is 1000 Mbps fast? In this article, we will present key details on 1000 Mbps internet speed and compare it against other internet speeds.
1000 Mbps is extremely fast internet for 2023. The speed is ideal for family homes or small workplaces that have multiple users with significant usage.
The 1000 Mbps can handle multiple 4k streams, downloads, and video calls with no break in speed.
1000 Mbps is at the top end of the market for internet speed and will perform significantly better than the average speed of 100 Mbps. This means that sourcing 1000 Mbps will likely fetch a premium price compared to other internet speeds.
In this article, we take you through the capability of 1000 Mbps internet speed to see if it is suitable for your internet speed needs.
How Fast is 1000 Mbps?
The 1000 Mbps or gigabit internet can easily handle plenty of processes. However, it is not suitable for everyone as 10 Mbps upload speed and 50 Mbps download speed is enough if you are working from home, for example.
So, if you are lucky enough to have 1000 Mbps internet speed, below are some of the things that you can do with it:
Video Calls and Communicating
These days family and friends like to communicate via video calls and it can be frustrating when the internet cannot handle this communication as it is not fast enough. Fortunately, having 1000 Mbps will solve this problem.
For example, Zoom uses as low as 1.5 Mbps, meaning over 600 people can use similar broadband with 1000 Mbps internet to make calls. Additionally, a large office with people can make calls comfortably as long as the router is strong to support lots of connections.
However, you should note that the upload speed plays a key part when making video calls.
Streaming
Generally, you need between 25-50 Mbps internet speed for one device to stream a 4K video. Therefore, with 1000 Mbps you can simultaneously stream between 20 to 40 4K videos, which is great for a small to medium family.
So, if 9 or more people are living together, the 1000 Mbps will provide decent speeds for everyone. You need less speed for YouTube Videos, as you can stream about 200 HD videos on it.
With the 1000 Mbps plan, you can also stream on Netflix as it only needs a bandwidth of 25 Mbps as well as stream music on Spotify. About 3300 Spotify streamers can share the 1000 Mbps plan.
Gaming
1000 Mbps is enough if you want to use it for your gaming purposes. For instance, playing Xbox needs approximately 1.5 Mbps upload speed and 3 Mbps download speed. However, some games may need more internet bandwidth, but generally, gaming does not require more than 10 Mbps.
With 1000 Mbps you can have around 100 to 333 gaming sessions simultaneously.
You can also download video games at 1000 Mbps. An example is the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare for personal computers which uses 231 GB. Meaning you can download this game in 33 minutes with 1000 Mbps speed.
Business Use
Business nowadays has seamless video and internet conferences as part of their communication channels and to remain connected with the networks in the business, it is crucial to have an internet plan that works well and doesn’t slow down the experience.
Zoom video conferencing requires up to 3 Mbps while Zoom audio calls need about 1.5 Mbps of internet speed. Therefore, with 1000 Mbps about 600 individuals can use the same internet for making calls.
When it comes to Whatsapp calls, you only need a bandwidth of between 0.1 to 1.5 Mbps, so with 1000 Mbps internet speed, you will have very smooth video and audio conferencing as well as lag-free calls.
Also, you can use about 800 devices to make Skype calls simultaneously using 1000 Mbps.
Power Smart Home
Smart devices and home security systems like lights and door locks need bandwidth too. If your home is fitted with the latest smart gadgets, 1000 Mbps internet speed will make sure the rest of your devices such as kids’ smartphones and work laptops remain connected at faster speeds.
Downloading
With an internet speed of 1000 Mbps, downloading is extremely fast as it uses a data transfer of about 125mb/s. 1080p videos only take a few seconds to download while Adobe Photoshop takes 7 seconds to download. Large games and mobile apps of between 1-2 GB only take 15 seconds to download.
HD movies of up to 3 GB takes 24 seconds while HD music album of up to 500 MB only takes 5 seconds.
Uploading
Generally, the uploading speed is about 1/10 of its corresponding downloading speed, meaning an internet speed of 1000 Mbps is fast when it comes to uploading. With 1000 Mbps, you can easily make hundreds of video calls.
Also, you will be able to upload the files mentioned above using the same speed, making sharing files easy. If you like uploading content, especially videos to your social media platforms, 1000 Mbps will enable you to push content quickly.
1000 Mbps vs Other Speeds
Comparing 1000 Mbps with other speeds will enable you to appreciate how fast this internet speed is. Below is an overview of other speeds that are common but lower than 1000 Mbps:
- 200 Mbps – an internet speed of 200 Mbps is still pretty good. It will be able to support most processes as it is a lot higher than most speeds. 200 Mbps will enable only between 4 to 8 people to stream in 4K.
- 50 Mbps – 50 Mbps is an average for most countries. With this internet speed, you will just be able to manage a 4K streaming but you may have some issues. If your family is made of 4 people, you may have issues with this speed, especially when making video calls.
- 10 Mbps – with 10 Mbps, a single Zoom call will have problems and streaming 1080p will only be possible on one device. Downloading a full-length album or 1080p movie will take a while. Anything else will be an issue.
How Much Does 1000 Mbps Cost?
The cost of 1000 Mbps will depend on your city and the service provider, and it can cost you between $50 to $80. Sometimes you may need to pay $200 per month. The following is a list of internet providers and their corresponding 100-Mbps plans:
- Xfinity – Extreme Pro (900 Mbps) costs $69.99 per month.
- AT&T – Internet 1000 costs $80 per month.
- Verizon – 1 Gig costs $64.99 per month.
- CenturyLink – Fiber Gigabit costs $65 per month.
- Cox – Gigablast costs $99.99 per month.
- Spectrum – Internet Gig costs $110 per month.
- Sparklight – GigaONE Plus costs $125 per month.
- Optimum – Optimum 1 Gig costs $80 per month.
- Midco – Gig Internet costs $200 per month.
- MediaCom – Internet 1 Gig costs $70 per month.
Remember that these costs may vary depending on time and location. Also, check the upload and download speed for each plan before buying it.
How to Improve Internet Speed at Home
The following are the simple ways of getting the best internet speed at home:
1. Changing your internet plan
If you have reached the internet speed you are paying for in your plan, there is no need to continue troubleshooting it. Testing other internet speeds and comparing them with your current one is recommended, and if it is even, the fixes below may not help.
However, if your provider has a better internet plan, then it may be worth upgrading. If they don’t, find the maximum possible internet speed from their competitors.
2. Clearing the cache
To improve your browsing experience, the cache in your browser saves data from the websites and this can affect the internet speed when it is full. This tip may not increase your downloading speed, but it will enhance processes on the internet.
3. Resetting the router
This is one of the oldest tricks that you can do. However, before resetting the router, you should try turning it off and on, but it is the least disruptive as it will not reset the router to its factory settings.
4. Upgrading or moving your router
Your internet speed will only be good if the router is good enough. Generally, you should avoid getting routers sold by internet service providers as they are not always powerful. It can be beneficial to upgrade your router at a small cost.
Additionally, how your router is positioned is important. Ensure that it is not far away and tucked away from your major devices. However, if you have no option, get a Wi-Fi extender and it will make a big difference.
5. Disconnecting other devices
This may be frustrating to do but devices can affect the download speed especially when they are idle. This is especially true when automatic cloud syncing, device updates, and other background processes happen.
Potential Issues with Slow Internet
The following things will happen to you if you have slow internet:
Streams and video calls freezing
If you have been in a video call with a friend or workmate, then all of a sudden, they freeze, chances are the internet is bad either on their end or yours. Also, if the Netflix loading wheel appears halfway through a movie, then your internet is slow.
Cancelled downloads
Apart from frozen Netflix and Zoom calls, you will be more frustrated when a file you are downloading is canceled halfway through. Mostly, these downloads tend to stop and not pause at all, meaning you have to start downloading again.
This can be risky if you are downloading large files, therefore, upgrading the speed of your internet is the best option.
Web pages not loading
This is the most common symptom that your internet is poor, and this should not be a common issue in this day and age. But it can happen, and when it does it shows that your internet speed is slow.
How to Easily Check Your Internet Speed
It can be challenging to gauge whether your internet speed is doing well without knowing the exact problem. You can check your internet by doing a speed test, but you should do this once all the devices have been disconnected to get the true value.
To get an understanding of your internet bandwidth, the speed test is measured in Mbps and not Mb/s. This test will also tell you your upload speed.
The information you get after this test will enable you to decide whether you are getting the best speed in your area. If not, use the tips mentioned above and get yourself the best internet speed.
FAQs
Is 1000 Mbps Worth It?
1000 Mbps is worth it if you have significant daily internet usage. Professional gamers, influencers, and online creators who use data-intensive applications will certainly benefit from 1000 Mbps.
If you don’t use the internet regularly or intensively within your household or workplace, the investment in 1000 Mbps is not necessary, as slower megabit speeds of 200 Mbps will adequately handle your internet needs.
How Many Devices Can 1000 Mbps Support?
The number of devices that can use 1000 Mbps depends on the usage levels and activities. For example, up to 100 devices can handle an online gaming session, but the number reduces to 20 to 40 devices for 4K streaming.
Why Do I need 1000 Mbps Internet?
1000 Mbps is desirable because it is the fastest, non-commercial internet speed offered by internet providers. It is ideal for environments with high internet usage, such as large households, schools, or workplaces.
What is the Difference Between Megabits and Megabytes?
1 megabyte equates to 8 megabits. Megabits measure internet speeds through wireless and wired internet sources. Megabytes measure internet storage capacity and also the speed at which the device can transfer data.
Final Words
Hopefully, you now know that 1000 Mbps is an extremely fast internet speed and outperforms other internet speeds significantly. If you are a household with gamers in one room, and Netflix streamers in another room, 1000 Mbps will serve you well and give you no lag.
Likewise, small workplaces that require frequent video conferencing or deal with shared folders and large documents, will need 1000 Mbps to ensure efficient and effective business operations.
1000 Mbps is certainly an investment as it will cost more than other slower internet speeds. 1000 Mbps can cost up to $200 per month but typically ranges from $50 to $80 per month. As a household or workplace, you need to evaluate the cost-benefit, to see if investing in 1000 Mbps is justifiable.
One Response
You are spot on. I am a Gig User with Xfinity (Central US) and the reality is a bit different. There seems to be an initial lag and I assume it’s caused by routing. I usually get only about 350+ Mbps down and 200+ upload which is good enough.