The FCC currently defines broadband internet as any high-speed internet access with a minimum of 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mbps upload speed. If you have a choice of internet providers, it’s smart to keep an eye on what technologies they’re offering - and to understand how those new technologies redefine what is considered slow internet vs high speed internet. See if 5G or high-speed fiber-optic internet is available in your area now.) The internet service that worked for you last year might not be the best fit for you now. (5G Ultra Wideband currently is available in 1,700+ cities. Verizon, for example, is rolling out 5G around the country. Things change rapidly in the communications field. Make sure you take into consideration your future needs as well. 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. 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. Each of those devices uses some of your internet bandwidth. In fact, according to a Deloitte survey, the average household has 25 connected devices. 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.Ĭonsider 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. You’d be surprised how many devices are quietly using your Internet bandwidth in the background. 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).

Mbps represents the amount of traffic your internet can handle. 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. Internet speed is often defined in Mbps, which stands for megabits per second. Check out the FAQ below for some helpful tips on finding the fastest internet speed and how many mbps your household needs, plus the differences between fiber internet, DSL, satellite and 5G. But what exactly is “fast” and how many mbps is it? With a head-spinning number of options to choose from, it can be overwhelming deciding what internet speed you really need, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the lingo. It seems like almost every commercial these days is promising you the fastest internet speed. But how many Mbps do you really need? What’s considered high-speed internet?

What is good download speed