Blazing fast gigabit internet seems almost too good to be true. We‘re talking speeds up to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) – that‘s 100 times faster than typical broadband. At gigabit speeds, you can download a full movie in seconds or backup enormous amounts of data in minutes.
But is it all hype? Do regular people really need lightning fast internet at home?
As a cloud infrastructure architect with over 15 years of experience in data networks and security, I get asked these questions a lot. The answers may surprise you.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dig deep on everything gigabit:
- What exactly is gigabit speed and how does it work?
- What are the pros and cons of gigabit internet?
- What can you really do with a gigabit connection?
- Who truly needs these blistering speeds?
- What kind of equipment do you need to use gigabit?
- How much does 1 Gbps internet cost?
- Where is gigabit service available?
Let‘s start by demystifying what gigabit speed actually means…
Contents
What Does Gigabit Internet Mean? A Nerd‘s Breakdown
When you see "gigabit internet" advertised, what does that really mean? Let‘s break it down in simple terms:
- Gigabit refers to speed – 1 gigabit per second (Gbps)
- 1 Gigabit = 1,000 Megabits (Mbps)
- It‘s 10-100 times faster than standard broadband
So in plain English, gigabit internet means blazing fast internet speeds up to 1000 Mbps. That‘s pretty darn quick!
To give you some perspective on real-world usage:
- You can download a full HD movie in 20-30 seconds
- Backing up 1 terabyte of data takes around 2 minutes
- You can download about 100 songs in just 1 second
Unlike broadband connections that normally have slower upload speeds, gigabit is symmetrical. That means your upload and download speeds are both equally fast up to the 1 Gbps maximum.
For example, on a gigabit line you could:
- Upload a 1 GB video file in 10 seconds
- Video chat in stunning 4K resolution flawlessly
- Access work files in the cloud instantly
This symmetry is vital for business use cases like video conferencing but also makes gigabit amazing for activities like online gaming that require fast response times.
But how does it work?
Gigabit speeds are achieved by pure fiber optic internet connections rather than traditional copper coaxial cable or telephone lines.
Fiber offers nearly unlimited bandwidth potential compared to copper, which has physical limitations. This allows gigabit speeds to be possible.
The light signals transmitted over fiber cables provide the high-capacity backbone required for blazing fast gigabit connectivity.
While originally gigabit was only available for universities and businesses, recently consumer availability has expanded rapidly as providers build out more fiber.
Now let‘s explore the pros and cons of gigabit internet…
The Pros and Cons of Gigabit Internet Speeds
Gigabit internet isn‘t right for everyone. Before upgrading, it‘s important to consider both the benefits and potential drawbacks:
Pros
- Blazing fast speeds up to 1000 Mbps
- Low latency for gaming and video calls
- Great for households with many users/devices
- Enables seamless 4K / 8K streaming
- Uploads large files in seconds rather than minutes
- Future-proof for coming bandwidth demands
Cons
- Expensive compared to lower speeds
- Overkill for light internet users
- Requires upgraded router and equipment
- Limited availability in rural areas
- Data caps may still apply
As you can see, the raw speed is amazing but the higher monthly cost means it‘s not ideal for casual browsing and social media use.
Gigabit shines when you need to transfer large amounts of data quickly on a regular basis. But it does come at a premium.
Average Monthly Costs for Gigabit Internet
- Verizon Fios – $79.99/month
- AT&T Fiber – $80-100/month
- Xfinity – $79.99-299.95/month
- CenturyLink – $65/month
Now let‘s explore some real-world use cases where gigabit makes sense…
5 Times When You‘ll Want Gigabit Internet Speeds
From my experience helping clients choose optimum internet plans, gigabit works best for the following scenarios:
1. Multi-User Households
Got kids gaming while you‘re streaming Netflix and your partner‘s on a Zoom call? Simultaneous high bandwidth usage will choke out a standard broadband connection.
With gigabit, the whole family can video chat, game, and binge watch without buffering or bandwidth fights.
According to a 2021 survey by Parks Associates, the average U.S. household now has 25 connected devices – and that number is rising rapidly. Gigabit keeps everyone connected.
2. Work From Home Employees
The work-from-anywhere shift means fast, reliable home internet is now a necessity for productivity.
Gigabit internet guarantees the speeds and low latency critical for video conferencing, accessing cloud apps, and transferring large files without interruptions.
Per Pew Research Center data, the number of Americans working from home is up over 150% since pre-pandemic. Many companies expect flexible remote work options to continue.
3. Content Creators
Do you create and share audio, photo, or video content online? Gigabit can slash your editing and upload times.
For example, uploading 1 GB of video to YouTube could take 10-15 minutes on standard broadband. With gigabit, it takes around 10-20 seconds instead.
When time is money, those productivity gains quickly add up for digital artists, vloggers, podcasters, and photographers.
4. Cloud Storage Users
Backing up large amounts of data to the cloud used to be painfully slow. With a gigabit connection, you can backup 1 TB in under 2 minutes.
This makes gigabit especially beneficial for creative agencies, legal and medical firms, and anyone who deals with huge files that need offsite backups for security compliance and disaster recovery.
5. Online Gaming
For competitive and professional gamers, speed is everything. Gigabit internet provides incredibly low ping times for smoother, more responsive gameplay without lag spikes.
Telemetry shows that during the pandemic, average internet speeds required for gaming increased 146%. Gamers are driving the demand for faster internet.
There are certainly more examples, but in general, if you have high bandwidth needs and use cases that require moving lots of data quickly, it‘s worth considering.
Now let‘s talk about the networking gear you‘ll need…
Gigabit Router & Equipment Requirements
To take full advantage of gigabit speeds throughout your home or office, you‘ll need networking hardware that can handle the data demands:
Gigabit Router
Look for a high-end consumer wireless router supporting the latest protocols:
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- WiFi 6E (802.11ax)
Tri-band routers provide one 2.4 GHz band for range and two 5 GHz bands for max throughput. WPA3 encryption is also recommended for security.
Also be sure your router has gigabit ethernet ports to connect devices directly via cable. The WiFi connection typically won‘t reach the full 1 Gbps.
Gigabit Network Card
Check that each computer has an onboard gigabit network adapter or install a PCIe gigabit card.
Most modern laptops come with gigabit ethernet built-in. Just verify Windows shows a 1.0 Gbps link speed under your adapter properties.
Gigabit Cable Modem
If your provider doesn‘t supply a modem, choose a DOCSIS 3.1 model rated for at least 1.2 Gbps download speeds.
With the right hardware, you can enjoy the full benefits of blazing fast gigabit internet throughout your home or office.
Where Can You Get Gigabit Internet Service?
Gigabit availability used to be very limited but has expanded significantly as more providers build out fiber networks. Here are a few leading options:
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Verizon Fios – Offers gigabit speeds primarily in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
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AT&T Fiber – Rapidly growing availability in over 90 major metros across the U.S. as they ramp up fiber rollouts.
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Xfinity – Comcast gigabit service through their Gigabit Pro tier in 40+ states, mostly concentrated around major cities.
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CenturyLink – Delivers gigabit via fiber in parts of around a dozen Western and Southwestern states so far.
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Google Fiber – Supplies gigabit in limited areas of roughly a dozen metros, including Atlanta, Nashville, San Antonio.
The best way to confirm coverage is by entering your address on provider sites or speaking to a sales rep. If gigabit‘s not available yet, ask to be notified when it is.
The Bottom Line on Gigabit Internet
Gigabit speed seems appealing. But before upgrading, be realistic about your needs. If you primarily just stream shows and browse the web, gigabit is overkill.
For large households with many heavy bandwidth users, employees working from home, or anyone moving large amounts of data regularly, the benefits may justify the premium price.
Keep in mind that gigabit availability remains limited in rural areas. But new fiber deployments are constantly expanding access.
I hope this technology overview gives you a solid understanding of what gigabit internet is, the pros and cons, ideal use cases, and what to consider before upgrading. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
