The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires internet service providers (ISPs) to offer download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second or Mbps. However, there’s a good chance you’d like a much faster connection.
If you’re considering an internet package with 100 Mbps, you may wonder if it will be fast enough for your unique situation. Below, we’ll answer the question, “Is 100 Mbps fast?” and dive deeper into what you can expect from this internet plan so you can make the most informed decision.
Key takeaways
100 Mbps is fast enough for nearly all internet activities, including browsing, downloading, streaming and gaming.?
100 Mbps should be enough for households of three to five users and devices.
Although 100 Mbps is often more than enough, you may need a larger plan if multiple people download and stream simultaneously.
How fast is 100 Mbps internet?
While internet speeds depend on factors like technology, location and provider, etc., they can be as low as 0.128 Mbps (megabits per second) on a DSL connection or as fast as 10,000 Mbps. Speeds ranging from 25 to 100 Mbps are reasonably fast for most online activities, including streaming, gaming and video conferencing.
“100 Mbps is ideal for households and small to medium-sized businesses with several users, allowing for the smooth operation of cloud services, large file downloads and regular business applications without significant slowdowns,” said David Idle, the chief product officer at Bigleaf Network, a leading provider of network optimization solutions.
What can you do with 100 Mbps internet?
But fast can be a relative classification, depending on how you use your connection. With an internet speed of 100 Mbps, you can comfortably perform the following activities:
- Basic browsing and email: Web pages and emails will load within seconds.
- Downloading: With a 100 Mbps internet connection, you can download 1MB (the size of a 100-page PDF) in less than a second.
- Home security systems and smart-home devices: 100 Mbps will provide a steady, seamless internet connection to ensure your home security systems and smart-home devices work without any issues.
- Streaming HD video: Netflix recommends internet speeds of 15 Mbps to stream its programming in 4K ultra high definition; Disney+ recommends 25 Mbps. You should have no issues streaming videos or shows on up to four devices.
- Online gaming: Popular online games like Fortnite and Minecraft usually require 3 Mbps, so 100 Mbps would be more than enough for a seamless experience. It supports high-quality graphics and fast response times without a lag.
- Video conferencing: 100 Mbps would allow you to enjoy a smooth meeting with little to no chance of disruption. This is a huge plus if you rely on video conferencing regularly for work.
Limitations of 100 Mbps internet
While a 100 Mbps connection is fast, it has limits, depending on your needs. Hannah Shahriyari, a sales director and network consultant at GeoLinks, a leading enterprise-level telecommunications company, recommends conducting an internet speed test to see if you’re maxing out your connection.
Consider upgrading your plan if you notice video buffering, slow page load times and longer time frames for uploading or downloading documents.
How much does a 100 Mbps internet plan cost?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $100 per month for a 100 Mbps internet package, according to Idle.
The exact amount depends on several factors, including your location, the provider you select and whether you bundle your internet with other services, such as a phone line. Promotional offers, contract terms and introductory rates can also impact the cost.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for a 100 Mbps connection, based on the introductory rate of several providers:
- CenturyLink: approximately $55 per month
- Cox: approximately $35 per month (with Cox Mobile) or $50 per month (without Cox Mobile)
- Viasat: approximately $149 per month
Idle suggests comparing offerings from multiple providers to find the best balance of cost, speed and service reliability for your specific needs and most used cloud applications.
Is 100 Mbps fast enough for me?
“One hundred Mbps is more than enough for most households, even those with three to five users and devices,” said Shahriyari. She added this speed is “suitable for both entertainment and productivity in a typical residential setting.”
If you typically use the internet to send emails, perform searches, play online games and stream videos, 100 Mbps should meet your needs. However, if you frequently download large files, such as HD movies, you may want to invest in a faster speed. Also, if you have a large household with more than three devices partaking in high bandwidth activities, such as streaming and downloading simultaneously, you may be better off with a faster internet plan.
What’s a good internet speed?
A good internet speed will be relative to your household’s online needs. This chart outlines what you can do with various internet speeds.
|
Optimal use
|
|
|---|---|
| 0 - 5 Mbps | Light usage: Sending emails and searching Google |
| 5 - 40 Mbps | Moderate usage: Playing online games and streaming in HD on one device |
| 40 - 100 Mbps | Moderate usage: Downloading large files quickly and streaming HD on up to four devices |
| 100 - 500 Mbps | High usage: Streaming in 4K on five or more devices |
| 500 - 1,000+ Mbps | High usage: Streaming in 4K on 10+ devices simultaneously |
How to choose the right internet speed
No one internet speed works well for everyone. As you shop around, take advantage of consultations with various ISPs. You should also consider these factors to find the right speed for your unique requirements:
Understand your needs
Think about the type of online activities you engage in regularly. These may be online gaming, streaming, downloading files, checking emails or video conferencing. By understanding your needs, you’ll better understand which internet plan will allow for a reliable connection across various tasks. Also, keep in mind that if multiple people work from home and use video conferencing throughout the day, you may want higher bandwidth.
Consider the number of users
The number of users connecting to your internet network can affect internet speed. You can expect a slower connection if many people in your household simultaneously connect multiple devices — such as laptops, smartphones and gaming consoles — to the same network.
Think about bandwidth consumption
Bandwidth is the maximum capacity of your internet. It measures how quickly your network can download data and impacts internet speed.
Speed is your actual real-time experience of using the internet. It reflects how fast data moves between your device and the internet.
Selecting a plan that provides sufficient bandwidth to accommodate your online activities is essential. If you don’t, you can count on interruptions and delays.
Check the price
Pricing for internet service varies greatly. Most internet providers offer a variety of plans with varying speeds to meet the needs of consumers with different budgets. Shahriyari suggests contacting your ISP to understand available plans.
But don’t judge a plan by its price alone. Shahriyari recommends vetting plans by looking at upload and download speeds, checking if the plan has data caps and reading user reviews.
Bottom line
If you’re in the market for fast internet, 100 Mbps may be a good option. However, before you move forward with 100 Mbps, shop around and explore all the internet speeds and packages at your disposal.
