Internet Speed Classifications: Simplifying internet speeds

To understand how your connection performs, you need to look at the different network attributes that define your experience. A common term you will encounter for describing speed, for example, is Mbps, which stands for Megabits per second. This is the typical measurement of how quickly data can be transferred to or from your home every second. Knowing your mbps, your file upload and download speeds, can help you determine whether your home internet is fast enough to do everyday things like stream movies or download large files. But there is more to a network than just speed.

Bandwidth vs. Speed

While often used interchangeably, there is a difference between bandwidth and speed. A helpful way to visualize this is the water pipe analogy: bandwidth is the size of the “pipe,” representing the maximum capacity of data that can flow at once, while speed is the actual rate or “flow” of the water through that pipe. Having a wider pipe (more bandwidth) can allow more devices to stream and browse simultaneously without appreciably slowing each other down.

Latency (Ping) and Jitter

If you’ve ever experienced a delay during a video call or a lag spike while gaming, you’ve encountered latency. So, what is latency? It is the “reaction time” of your connection, the time it takes for a signal to travel from your device to a server and back. Lower latency is crucial for real-time activities like online gaming. Closely related is “jitter,” which measures the variability in that reaction time. Low jitter is the secret to smooth, non-choppy video, ensuring your data packets arrive in a steady, predictable stream.

While download speed is the primary focus of most conventional internet plans, both download and upload speeds are significant in today’s connected homes.

• Download Speed: This is used for consuming content, such as streaming your favorite shows or browsing social media.
• Upload Speed: This is essential for contributing content, such as sending files, backing up data to the cloud, or staying visible on a video call.

In the world of fiber vs cable speeds, fiber-optic providers generally offer “symmetrical speeds.” This means your upload speed is typically as fast as your download speed, a feature not available with most traditional cable connections. Want to see how fast your internet really is? Go ahead and run a speed test now!

There are different types of “pipes” delivering home internet, each with its own benefits.

Verizon Fios provides a fiber-optic network for those who need a robust connection. Alternatively, 5G Home Internet utilizes Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology to deliver home internet connectivity wirelessly.

Selecting the right plan depends on where you live and how much time every day you spend online. If you are a heavy gamer or a household with multiple remote workers, the nearly symmetrical speeds and low latency of Fios are ideal if it is available at your address. For those seeking a flexible, high-speed wireless solution, 5G Home Internet speed can offer a powerful alternative to traditional cable. To find the best fit for your digital life, check the coverage map or see what is a good internet speed for your habits.

Mbps represents the amount of traffic your internet can handle. While Netflix will say that you only need 5 mbps to stream a high-definition video, you’ll need more if you plan to do anything else at the same time (like check your email on your phone). You’d be surprised how many devices are quietly using your Internet bandwidth in the background. Smart home devices like Google Home or Amazon Echo, laptops and PCs in sleep mode, your security system, and even your sprinkler system can all be using your internet, which will affect your internet speed unless you have enough Mbps.

Consider this: In the last few years Americans have more than doubled the number of smartphones, tablets and gaming devices connected to our Wi-Fi networks. In fact, according to a Deloitte survey, the average household has 25 connected devices. Each of those devices uses some of your internet bandwidth. So while 5 Mbps may be enough to stream a movie by itself, if you have more than 5 devices connected to your internet, a download speed of 150 or higher works better. If your household has more than one person, or you’re streaming 4K video, gaming, video conference calling or using smart home devices, you’ll want an internet speed of 200 or higher according to Tom’s Guide. Make sure you take into consideration your future needs as well.

Between DSL, cable and fiber, fiber-optic internet speeds are some of the fastest available today, according to Broadband Now, an independent website which helps consumers find and compare internet services. Services like Fios 2 Gig deliver fast, ultra-reliable internet speeds averaging between 1.5 Gbps and 2.3 Gbps for both upload and download. Unlike other providers who may offer gig plans using partial fiber or copper/fiber hybrid networks, Verizon Fios is powered by a 100% fiber-optic network.

If Verizon Fios isn’t available in your area, Verizon 5G Home Internet may be available. Verizon 5G Home Internet is powered by our award-winning 5G Ultra Wideband network delivering internet to your house wirelessly.

Check availability in your area