Internet Speed Matters; Here's Why

Gig speed or Gigabit-speed Internet refers to a broadband service that supports download speeds of up to 1gb-per-second; though it has only been around for a few years and is not that widely available yet, it is the future of Internet connectivity for your home.

Why does Internet speed matter?

1. Can support multiple devices without affecting performance

An average household in the US has about 22-25 devices using an Internet connection; computers, tablets and phones, streaming devices, and gaming systems. Having all these devices utilize your home's Internet connection simultaneously will slow down speeds and affect the performance of all connected devices.

The more devices and uses you have, the faster the connection needs to be. There are a few factors that affect your Internet speeds and in turn, your browsing experience. If you have a home with multiple devices that connect to the Internet at the same time, a slow Internet connection will find it challenging to handle all of them effectively.

Also, if most of your household's Internet activity involves Internet gaming, streaming TV, uploading and downloading large files, and streaming, then slow Internet speeds won't do.

2. Much faster download and upload speeds

How much faster is a Fiber Internet connection? Considering the standard broadband packages offer rates that range between 200-1000 Mbps, while at Buckeye you can get a Fiber Internet connection of up to 10,000 Mbps.

A Gig Internet speed mainly makes use of two technologies; fiber-optic cables and DOCSIS 3.1 standard. Fiber-optic cables are capable of transmitting high-capacity data at light speeds without interference. DOCSIS 3.1 standard is different; it makes it possible to have Gig speeds through the same technology used for cable Internet but does not offer the same speeds for data uploads.

Example: Buckeye’s 1 Gig Fiber Package offers 1000 Mbps download and upload, while the Gig Plus- option can handle 1000 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload.

This difference can be easily seen. Have you noticed that with most standard broadband networks, you can watch a 3-minute clip online in about 3 minutes, but uploading a clip of the same size tends to take longer? The fiber-optic technology used in Gig connections means the download and upload speeds are kept similar (symmetrical).

3. Multiple uses

1000 Mbps will allow you to do more of what you already do online, but much faster than before and with less network congestion. Gig speeds can easily support streaming activities due to its 4K streaming capabilities that remove buffer times experienced on standard broadband.

Gig speeds also improve online gaming, and cloud capabilities enabling efficient backups for larger data.

The speeds also make immersive media such as VR more accessible; and similar to how streaming took over, when these speeds become mainstream, you can expect media formats to capitalize on this.

Who is Fiber Internet perfect for?

While lightning-fast speeds are enticing to everyone, upgrading your home's internet connection might not be necessary. Here are a few factors to consider before setting up Gig-speed Internet connections;

• Check to see if your computer is Fiber Internet capable. You might have to upgrade your hardware and OS for it to be able to attain the desired Gig speeds.
• Online gaming with slow Internet speeds can be very frustrating. Though about 200 Mbps should be sufficient, if you have other devices connected or are living with other gamers, then faster speeds would be better.
• If your broadband connection currently supports multiple users, you are putting additional strain on your bandwidth, which slows speeds and affects device performance. You should consider getting a faster broadband connection.
• Faster speeds would also be essential for those who work remotely from home. If it takes forever to download large files from your boss or client, then your current connection might not be fast enough.
• You should also look at your streaming behavior; if you have many devices regularly streaming HD content, you will benefit from a gigabit connection.

Sadly, a fast connection with slow devices will still not provide you with the quality user experience you desire. The good news is that we have a range of products and services that will keep your household on the edge of the latest home technologies.