When it comes to services, the more you know, the better your chances of getting the right amount of service for your needs at the best price. Internet service can be confusing, so when it comes to purchasing a plan for home use, a little clarification is in order.
The three main terms you need to know regarding speed and capability are:
1. Bandwidth, or the file size that can pass through your connection during a specified time frame; for example, 25mbps
2. Latency, or the speed with which your connection is able to transmit data
3. Ping rate, which is the response time from action to reaction, measured in milliseconds.
How much you need of each of these features depends on the main purpose of your computer, the number and type of devices connected to your home network and the number of users. In general, if you have several family members who share a connection from a range of platforms, for a variety of reasons, you’re better off going with more bandwidth and a lower ping rate.
Internet Specs By Use
There is usually little to no difference from spec to spec for upload and download times. regardless of whether you have DSL, a fiber optic system or WiFi. Here are some general guidelines for Internet requirements. Your local ISP can provide you with more personal guidance according to their service plans and pricing.
5 – 10 mbps – this is a good basic setup for smaller households that have fewer connected devices. At this speed, you can surf the Internet, check your email and watch non-HD video streaming without a problem.
10 – 25mbps – This range is better if you have a larger family and like to watch high-quality video. It’s also ideal for those who do a lot of downloading and gaming.
25 – 40+mbps – This range of performance is unnecessary for most households. It’s for networks with a large number of devices and users who are into hard-core gaming and video viewing.
Largo FiOS is an example of a company that offers a combination of the latest technology and a range of plans to suit their customers’ personal or business communications requirements. Contact your local ISP to find out more about what they can offer you. This is where a low ping rate is most beneficial.
