These days, having a fast and reliable internet connection is a household essential. But not every residence utilizes the web in the same way. In order to get the service that best fits your household needs and budget, it’s important to have a basic understanding of internet speeds. Here’s a brief guide to the basics.

What Is the Difference Between Internet Speed & Bandwidth?

Because these two terms are often used to refer to the same type of internet service, you might be surprised to find out that internet speed and bandwidth are actually two different things. Speed is a calculation of how fast data is transferred from the internet to your computer, such as the download rate, while bandwidth refers to the amount of data an internet connection is capable of handling. 

How Is Internet Speed Measured?

Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This is not the same as a megabyte (MB), which refers to the size of a digital file, but the two measurements are used together to calculate internet speed. One MB equals 8 Mbps, which means that an internet connection speed of 1 Mbps would take eight seconds to download a single MB file, while an internet speed of 4 Mbps would take 2 seconds to download a 1 MB file.

How Do I Know How Much Internet Speed I Need?

To determine what speed is best for you, you need to consider both the amount of time your household spends online, as well as the number of devices within your household that will be utilizing the internet connection.

If you live alone and use the internet casually for basics such as email, social media, and occasional movie or music streaming, a lower speed of 5 to 10 Mbps should be sufficient. If you have multiple users in your household and stream movies and TV shows frequently, you’ll need to up your speed to at least a 50 Mbps package. Finally, if you are a heavy internet user, such as if you work from home, download large files, frequently video chat, or game, you’ll likely want to consider a speed of at least 100 Mbps. 

To help you determine the most efficient and cost-effective internet speed for your household, get in touch with the expert technicians at Horizon in Chillicothe, OH. They provide both residences and businesses with a wide range of high-quality communication services, including high-speed internet, fiber-optic broadband, business phone systems, and security systems. Visit their website for a complete list of services, and call (740) 772-8200 to schedule an appointment today.