Yes, 1000 Mbps internet is fast. Especially if you regularly need a lot of bandwidth for extensive downloads and uploads. But what can you do with such speeds at your place?
With gigabit internet, you can perform all the possible activities. Be it regularly downloading huge files, streaming 4K (or even 8K), uploading YouTube videos, or performing bandwidth-hungry activities like online gaming. Also, 10-15 people can share the Gigabit connection without any connectivity drop.
But is 1000 Mbps worth it for everyone? Is it overkill for day-to-day use at the home or office? Who should opt for the 1 Gig internet? To answer all such queries, I subscribed to the Xfinity Gigabit and used it for one month to observe and share my thoughts on Gigabit speed.
Contents
How Fast is 1000 Mbps?
Let’s have a look at the following activities to understand how fast 1000 Mbps internet speed is:
| Activities | Required Download Speed | Required Upload Speed | Can 1000 Mbps support it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media | 500 - 2000 Kbps | 200 - 300 Kbps | Yes |
| Messaging & Email | 100 Kbps | 12.5 Kbps | Yes |
| Web Browsing | 100 - 1000 Kbps | 12.5 - 125 Kbps | Yes |
| WhatsApp Voice Call | 100 Kbps | 12.5 Kbps | Yes |
| WhatsApp Video Call | 2-3 Mbps | 250-300 Kbps | Yes |
| Skype HD Call | 1-3 Mbps | 125 - 300 Kbps | Yes |
| Skype Group HD Call | 4-5 Mbps | 500 - 600 Kbps | Yes |
| Zoom HD Call | 3.5-4 Mbps | 400 - 500 Kbps | Yes |
| Zoom Group HD Call | 4-5 Mbps | 500 - 600 Kbps | Yes |
| Watching YouTube Videos [480p] | 500 - 1000 Kbps | 200 Kbps | Yes |
| Watching YouTube Videos [1080p] | 2-3 Mbps | 250 - 300 Kbps | Yes |
| Streaming Netflix [720p] | 1.5-2 Mbps | 250 Kbps | Yes |
| Streaming Netflix [1080p] | 5-7 Mbps | 600-800 Kbps | Yes |
| Online Gaming | 3-4 Mbps | 300 - 400 Kbps | Yes |
| Streaming Audio Music | 400 Kbps | 50 Kbps | Yes |
Time Taken to Download Different File Types & Sizes with 1000 Mbps Connection
An internet speed of 1000 Mbps is extremely fast, with a data transfer of 125 Mb/s. Using this plan, you can download 1080p videos in just a few seconds if not minutes. Also, I was able to download Adobe Photoshop in just 7 seconds during my tests. I was able to download large mobile apps and games of 1-2 GB in just 15 seconds.
| Type & Size of File | Download Duration |
|---|---|
| Apps and Games [Up to 40 GB] | 5-6 Minutes |
| Email Attachments [Up to 25 MB] | 0.2-0.3 Seconds |
| 1080p Videos | 1-2 Minutes |
| HD Movie [Up to 3 GB] | 24 Seconds |
| HD Music Album [Up to 500 MB] | 4 Seconds |
What Can You Do With a 1000 Mbps Internet Speed?
A 1000 Mbps internet can handle a lot of processes with ease. But it’s not ideal for everyone. For example, 50 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed is more than enough for working from home. So, if you are fortunate enough to get an internet speed of 1000 Mbps, here’s all that you can achieve.
1. Streaming
Streaming a 4K video generally requires a speed of 25-50 Mbps for a single device. So, on that basis, a Gigabit internet plan can easily help you stream 20-40 4K videos simultaneously. Now, this is huge for a small-medium family. But imagine, if you live with more than 9 people, then a gigabit speed would mean, everyone, getting decent speeds. Furthermore, YouTube videos require even less speed, and hence you can stream up to 200 HD videos on the app.
Is 1000 Mbps Fast Enough for Netflix?
Undoubtedly, it is. Netflix requires a bandwidth of 25 Mbps which can easily be achieved with the 1000 Mbps internet plan. Also, you can stream music on Spotify and Apple Music with this plan easily. As many as 3300 Spotify Streamers can share this plan simultaneously.
2. Gaming
Is 1000 Mbps Good for Gaming?
Yes, an internet speed of 1000 Mbps is more than enough for gaming, no matter how small or large the game file is. For example, Xbox gaming generally requires a download speed of 3 Mbps and an upload speed of 1.5 Mbps. This means the majority of games can be run with an internet speed of as low as 10 Mbps.
Going by these figures, a 1000 Mbps internet can allow you as many as 100 gaming sessions. High-end games like Call Of Duty pack size of 231GB, which is huge but with the 1000 Mbps plan, you can easily download the game in 33 Minutes or less. Now, this is amazing; what are your thoughts?
In the case of mid-end games like Dirt Rally, Need For Speed, etc., the internet speed of 1000 Mbps allows you with much better gaming experience. Having said that, you can imagine this internet plan works like a wonder for low-end gaming sessions.
Note: For a better experience, consider investing in a gaming modem. And if you live in a multi-story house with a lot of Wi-Fi dead zones, it makes sense to get a whole home gaming mesh router to get consistent throughput across all floors.
3. Video Conferencing
Video calls now take up a crucial part of our day-to-day lives. To stay connected with your friends and family, you need an internet plan that works without any lag or slow experience. So, is 1000 Mbps fast enough for Zoom?
Zoom audio calls require a bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps, while video conferencing with Zoom needs up to 3 Mbps. This means that almost 600 people can share the same internet while making a call.
In the case of WhatsApp calls, both audio and video, with the internet speed of 1000 Mbps, you can enjoy extremely smooth, and lag-free calls for as many devices as the bandwidth needed here is just up to 0.1-1.5 Mbps. Similarly, for Skype calls, as many as 800 devices can share the same internet plan at the same time.
How Much Does 1000 Mbps Internet Cost?
A 1000 Mbps internet price goes anywhere between $50 and $80 depending upon the service provider and your city. In some cases, the prices might go as high as $200 for a monthly plan.
Internet Providers with 1000 Mbps Plans
| Internet Provider | Service Package | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Price | Link to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Gigabit | 1200 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $85/Mo | Buy Now |
| Spectrum | Internet Gig | 940 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $110/Mo | Buy Now |
| Cox | Gigablast | 1000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $100/Mo | Buy Now |
| Sparklight | GigaONE Plus | 1000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $125/Mo | |
| Optimum | Optimum 1 Gig | 940 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $80/Mo | Buy Now |
| AT&T | Internet 1000 | 980 Mbps | 30 Mbps | $80/Mo | Buy Now |
| Verizon FiOS | FiOS Gigabit | 940 Mbps | 30 Mbps | $65/Mo | |
| CenturyLink | Fiber Gigabit | 940 Mbps | 30 Mbps | $65/Mo | Buy Now |
| Midco | Gig Internet | 1000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $200/Mo | |
| Mediacom | Internet 1 Gig | 1000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $70/Mo |
Whatever plan you like, must check the download and upload speed for the same. Upload speed generally is one-tenth of the download speed, so in the case of the 1000 Mbps internet plan, the speed is insanely fast.
1000 Mbps vs Other Speeds
| Internet Plan | Download Speed* | Upload Speed | Summary | Ideal Users | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Mbps | 0.625 MB/s | 768 Kbps | Slow | 1 | Browsing on Single Device |
| 10 Mbps | 1.25 MB/s | 1.7 Mbps | Basic | 2 | Browsing on 2 Devices |
| 25 Mbps | 3.125 MB/s | 3 Mbps | Average | 3 | Browsing on 2-3 Devices |
| 50 Mbps | 6.25 MB/s | 10 Mbps | Good | 4 | Social Media / Content Creation |
| 100 Mbps | 12.5 MB/s | 11 - 12 Mbps | Very Good | 5 | High-Graphic Gaming on Consoles |
| 200 Mbps | 25 MB/s | 20 - 25 Mbps | Decent | 10 | HD Streaming on Multiple Devices |
| 300 Mbps | 37.5 MB/s | 32 Mbps | Better | 15 | Home Use with a Few Smart Gadgets |
| 400 Mbps | 50 MB/s | 35 Mbps | Fast | 20 | Small Offices / Small Businesses |
| 500 Mbps | 62.5 MB/s | 60 Mbps | Very fast | 25 | Modern Homes with Lots of Gadgets |
| Gigabit | 125 MB/s | 100 - 120 Mbps | High-Speed | 30 | Hotels, Hostels, or Office Premises |
Frequently Asked Questions
1000 Mbps internet speed is extremely fast. It is best suited for people having high internet requirements like professional gamers or content creators, or someone who deals with data-intensive tasks. But it can be overkill if you are the only person having fewer internet needs.
Although it depends upon the usage, like for what purpose you are sharing the 1000 Mbps internet speed. If you want an online gaming session, then 1000 Mbps can be easily shared between up to 100 devices, while in the case of 4K streaming, approximately 20-40 devices can share this plan.
1 Gigabit internet is the best when you are playing online multiplayer games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, etc. It provides you with immense speed and smooth performance throughout.
1000 Mbps is considered the fastest-residential internet speed available. It is well suited for schools, colleges, complexes, airports or startups where a lot of people connect their devices. If your work revolves around faster speed and bandwidth, like uploading videos, working on servers or online data-intensive tasks. If not, you can settle with 400 Mbps internet which is fast too.
Conclusion
1000 Mbps is the pace to aim for if your work requires heavy internet usage and you don’t wish to compromise with the speed. Streaming videos, playing high-end games or video calls are much easier with this internet plan.
Also, this plan can be easily shared between 20 and more people depending upon the usage and hence, it is considered the best. However, before subscribing to the plan, you must first address your needs and requirements.
Thanks for your information! I have been with Xfinity for some time and the price is exorbitant, and I have looked at the Netgear Nighthawk. I am looking at buying my own Netgear and stay with Xfinity. I was concerned about the Netgear Nighthawk and it’s adapting with the Xfinity’s mbps.
I am probably a bit older than many, but stay quite busy on the computer.
Hey W C,
Thanks for stopping by. I see you’re concerned about how well Netgear devices pair with an Xfinity connection. My friend, this is a completely different topic altogether.
This was one of the most frequently asked query, so I’ve covered it in a separate blog post. Do give it a read, it shall clear all your doubts! 🙂