Figuring out your Internet speed requirements and the right packages is not so simple. Sometimes you might be able to enjoy fast online streaming. But at other times, the connection might get really poor. So, the answer to your web search ‘Is 100 Mbps fast enough?’ is not so straightforward. You need to consider several factors before choosing an Internet package/bundle. But first, it is important to know everything about the unit and technology related to Internet speeds.
What Does Mbps Stand For?
It is an abbreviation of Megabits per second. It is a standard unit used to calculate the Internet upload and download speeds. More Mbps mean your Internet speeds will be higher as well. For instance, if you subscribe to packages like Cox Internet Ultimate, the speeds will be higher than those offered in lower Mbps packages. The prices of Internet packages also increase as the Mbps go up.
Is 100 Mbps Fast Enough for Your Home?
It is a very popular question among the majority of Internet users. This is because you can engage in almost every activity through online platforms. From online shopping to staying connected with your loved ones, nearly everything is possible through the Internet. But is 100 Mbps enough to fulfill your Internet needs? It depends upon the options available in your areas like fiber, cable or DSL Internet, your budget, and your requirements.
How to Determine Your Internet Needs?
You can determine your needs easily by figuring out your daily data usage. If you use the Internet for playing heavy games and streaming HD movies, then packages like Cox Gigablast might be suitable for you. If, however, you use the Internet for occasional surfing only, you might want to consider lighter packages. Here’s an easy categorization of daily Internet data usage to help you out:
Modest Usage
If you use the Internet to stay connected with your friends and open emails, then you are a light Internet user. It is important to note that if you stream heavy videos on Facebook or open external links, even then you might be a moderate or heavy user. So, if you are a light user, you can subscribe to cheap Internet plans to fulfill your Internet needs.
Medium Usage
If you are a hardcore user of social networking platforms like Facebook and Instagram, then you’ll need to subscribe to a more expensive Internet package. The package can cover your occasional YouTube video streaming and Netflix streaming as well. So, if you are a moderate Internet user, you might want to subscribe to a package offering 100 Mbps speed.
Substantial Usage
If you spend a lot of time watching Netflix or playing heavy online games, then you might be a heavy Internet user. Heavy Internet users can also depend upon the number of members in your home. So, if you have only 2-3 members, then the straightforward answer to your web search’ Is 100 Mbps fast enough for me?’ is yes. But if you have 6-7 members, you might need to subscribe to a heavy Internet package.
If You Live in a Rural Area…
It is important to note that you might not have many options for being a rural area resident. DSL and satellite Internet might be the only two options available to you. So, if you want to enjoy high-speed Internet, DSL might be the better choice for you. In the near future, however, you can expect other technologies to emerge which will solve all speed and latency-related issues in rural areas.
Which Package Should You Opt For?
Although getting 100 Mbps Internet speed might sound like the best choice for you, but it might not be the case. You might be an occasional streamer and so might not need a 100 Mbps package. Therefore, it is very important to determine your needs before buying an Internet package. Here is a list of speeds you need for various activities:
| Activities | Speed (in Mbps) |
|---|---|
| Online surfing, email checking | 1 |
| Low-quality video streaming | 6 |
| Skype | 1.5 |
| YouTube | 0.5 |
| Netflix | 1.5 |
| HD Streaming | 10 |
| Ultra HD | 25 |
Internet Technology
There are three popular ways in which the Internet reaches your home; DSL, Cable, and Fiber. The DSL technology can provide speeds ranging anywhere from 1 Mbps to 24 Mbps. In some areas where there is limited Internet availability, DSL might be the only option to get Internet access.
Cable Internet reaches your home through the coaxial cables. It is much faster than DSL and the cable providers offer many other features to their customers. For instance, Cox offers a modem and easy online Cox bill pay option to its users. The fiber Internet is the fastest Internet option available in the market. The fiber network can deliver speeds up to 1 Gbps to your home. So, you can choose the technology and the right Internet package according to your lifestyle and budget.
Should You Opt for 100 Mbps Internet?
Finally, you might have heard many people saying that 100 Mbps is a great download and upload speed. But the real question is that ‘Is 100 Mbps fast enough to fulfill your household needs?’ With this speed, you can download heavy files within minutes and play online games without any interruption. But if your goal is to enjoy ultra HD streaming and HD video gaming, then this speed might not be enough for you.
FAQs:
What does Mbps mean?
It means Megabytes per second. It refers to the Internet download and upload speeds.
How fast is 100 Mbps Internet speed?
It is enough for streaming online streaming services and playing online games.
Is 100 Mbps good for gaming?
Yes, it’s enough for uninterrupted online gaming sessions.
Is 100 Mbps fast enough for Netflix?
Yes, it is enough for HD Netflix streaming on your device.
What is a good Mbps speed?
Above 25 Mbps is generally considered good Internet speed.
What is a good internet download speed?
Speeds more than 25Mbps are considered good download speeds.
How fast internet do I need for YouTube HD streaming?
You need a minimum of 2.5 Mbps speed for streaming HD YouTube content.
