Gigabit Internet: Is It Worth Splurging for a Faster Internet Plan?
Having fast, reliable home internet is important, whether you're using it for remote work, streaming, school or browsing. But that doesn't mean that you always need to opt for the fastest speeds available. You might not actually need the 1,000Mbps speed your internet provider is advertising as "the best deal". Plus, gigabit plans are usually on the more expensive side of home internet. Read on to find out how to determine if gigabit internet is worth the price.
What is gigabit internet?
Let's start at the beginning: Digital information is measured in bits, and a megabit is 1,000,000 bits. Your internet speeds are measured in bits per second or, more commonly today, megabits per second. That unit measures how much data is processed over a network in a second. 1,000Mbps is equal to 1 gigabit per second, or Gbps.
The more megabits or gigabits per second your internet connection can accommodate, the better performance you can expect when streaming video or playing online games without lag or glitches, at least up to a point. You can still experience interruptions with a gigabit plan depending on a number of factors like your Wi-Fi setup, the layout of your home and the number of heavy internet users in the house. But we'll get into that later.
How much speed do you really need?
To evaluate whether or not you need a gigabit tier, first consider how much speed your household consumes each month. Do you notice a lot of lag, buffering and interruption? If you've already rundown the list of slow Wi-Fi solutions and found your speeds still lacking, you might need to upgrade. But sometimes the fix can be a small one, like moving your router to a central, raised location in the house. If you have a plan with a data cap, are you hitting your limit early in the month? Most ISPs offer apps that allow you to monitor your data usage, regardless of whether you have a data cap. If you're using a lot of data month over month and noticing slowdowns, you could potentially use a speed upgrade.
Next, take stock of how many smart devices and internet users are in your household. You can consult our internet speed guide and the FCC's household broadband guide for more in-depth tips on evaluating how much speed you'll need, but the recommendation for the heaviest internet usage (like streaming in high-quality video, using Zoom, or downloading files) requires only 25Mbps per action. A good rule of thumb is that if you have more than four heavy internet users in the house at a time (think gamers, streamers, remote workers or students), an upgrade to a gigabit tier could make sense. Otherwise, you'll be paying for speeds you won't use.
Locating local internet providers
Cable versus fiber gigabit internet
Two types of internet connections can legitimately deliver consistent gigabit-speed internet: cable and fiber. Moreover, fiber internet is the broadband gold standard since it offers lightning-fast connections and symmetrical download and upload speeds, giving you the fastest internet possible. It's more reliable than cable and less prone to being affected by peak usage times or congestion.
Cable internet provides connection through the same coaxial cables providers use for TV services, so it's frequently bundled with TV packages. It's more reliable than satellite internet and offers faster download speeds, too. But unlike fiber, cable internet's upload speeds are significantly slower than its download speeds. So, if you're sending emails or video chatting, you might experience some delay.
Which providers offer gigabit internet?
Most national internet service providers offer gigabit plans. There's a mix of fiber and cable providers that can offer speeds up to a gigabit, with most fiber providers, like AT&T and Google Fiber, offering speeds up to a gigabit and much faster. Unfortunately, fiber internet access is still pretty limited, with an overall 46% availability, according to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission. Spectrum, Astound Broadband and others offer gigabit plans over cable connections and are much more widely available than fiber providers. Notably, although Verizon 5G claims to offer speeds up to 1,000Mbps, only a select lucky handful of customers will see those speeds. Besides Starry, Verizon 5G Home Internet is the only other major 5G home internet provider to offer gigabit speeds.
Although it's possible we'll see multi-gigabit speeds from Starlink in the future, satellite ISPs and DSL internet providers do not offer gigabit speeds. Here are some of the major ISPs in the country that offer gigabit speeds.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
A gigabit plan typically costs between $60 and $80 per month with the average cost of the most broadly available plans compiled above coming to $65 monthly. Multi-gigabit plans can run between $70 to $100 or more monthly. For instance, Xfinity and Ziply Fiber offer 10 gig plans for $300 per month, and Google Fiber offers an 8 gig plan that costs $150 monthly.
Generally, faster plans offer the lowest price per Mbps, a metric we often use to decipher whether an internet plan is cost-efficient. For instance, the cost per Mbps for Xfinity's $300 per month 10 gig plan is just 3 cents. Meanwhile, Xfinity's much more widely-used 300Mbps plan costs $35 monthly, which comes out to 12 cents per Mbps. That doesn't mean paying $300 monthly for 10,000Mbps is the better deal in this scenario. Unless you're operating a business that needs that kind of speed, you'll be better off with a slower plan.
Xfinity spokesperson Joel Shadle told CNET there's more to value than speed: "While it's important to get enough speed, maybe even more, value extends beyond that. Reliability is almost more important than speed in an internet plan."
Why do I not have the exact speeds promised on a gigabit plan?
The fine print shows the 1 gig plan from Verizon features download speeds up to 940Mbps.
Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios, Verizon's fiber internet brand, offers a 1 gig plan for $90 per month but notes -- in the small print underneath -- that it maxes out at 940Mbps for downloads and 880Mbps for uploads. AT&T's 5 gig plan features speeds up to 4.7Gbps. This is common for ISPs, as many 'gigabit' plans, especially ones that run on a cable connection, actually offer speeds lower than 1,000Mbps. So what gives?
It's complicated, but it boils down to the fact that networking protocols and equipment consume a lot of that bandwidth. Think of it as networking overhead. And the specific equipment, like a modem or router, that connects the internet to your laptop or phone also determines the speed you'll get. For example, California-based provider Sonic Internet advertises speeds up to 10,000Mbps for just $50 monthly. But unless you have a compatible Wi-Fi 7 router, you won't get those speeds.
Plus, if you connect to your router wirelessly via Wi-Fi, your speeds will almost always be slower than they would otherwise be with a wired Ethernet connection. This is why providers often list speeds 'up to" a certain threshold. For most of us, the difference between one gig and 940Mbps should be imperceptible. Check out our top picks for the best routers.
AT&T offers a 5 gig plan with download speeds up to 4.7Gbps noted in the fine print.
AT&T
Given this, when CNET reviews ISPs, we may refer to ISP plan names but use exact numbers when listing connection speeds. If a "gigabit" plan promises speeds only up to 940Mbps, we take that into account in our analyses and make it clear in our descriptions.
Learn more about how we test ISPs.
Is gigabit internet worth the cost?
Some gigabit internet plans are quite pricey, sometimes costing hundreds of dollars per month. And there's no point in paying for extra speed you don't need or can't use due to network hardware or other limitations. If you're an internet power user who processes large video files or plays cutting-edge online games, a gigabit plan might be worth the cost, but only if other internet users are in the house with you. For most households, less than a gig of speed should suffice and save you hundreds of dollars per year. According to the latest data from OpenVault, the average household only uses around 564Mbps in download speeds a month.
Guidelines from the FCC state that a connection delivering between 100 and 500Mbps is enough for one to two people to run videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming applications simultaneously. Many providers offer 300Mbps plans starting around $50 per month, though sometimes even lower. Plans that deliver between 500 and 1,000Mbps, which typically cost between $70 and $100 per month, will allow three or more people to use videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming simultaneously. These are only guidelines and internet speed, service and performance will vary -- sometimes dramatically -- depending on connection type, equipment, provider and address. Only the most hardcore users have a rationale for paying for anything over a gig of speed.
'Most people don't really need it," says CNET writer and resident internet service expert Joe Supan. He points out that symmetrical download and upload speeds might be a reason to pay for a fiber connection, since having a higher upload speed will translate to less performance lag when sharing large files. 'If you do have multiple people working from home, having a higher upload speed might be worth going up to that gig tier,' he says. That noted, you can get symmetrical speeds from any fiber connection and without upgrading to gig speed.
Gigabit internet FAQ
Is gigabit internet enough for my household?
According to the FCC, a connection that delivers 100 to 500Mbps should be enough for two people to run videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming. Moreover, OpenVault's Q3 2024 report highlights that the average American household uses 564Mbps downstream and 31Mbps upstream. In other words, if you can access gigabit speeds (940 to 1,000Mbps), that should be more than enough for your household.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
SerpDomains Launches New Marketplace Platform for Premium Aged Domains
SerpDomains's newly launched marketplace gives buyers SEO-vetted aged domains and connects sellers to 30,000+ active buyers. SerpDomains Launches New Marketplace Platform for Premium Aged Domains New York, NY , June 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SerpDomains has officially launched a new platform, evolving from a curated domain inventory provider into a full-fledged marketplace for buying and selling premium aged domains. Since its start in 2019, SerpDomains has helped marketers and investors acquire high-value domains free from spam and poor SEO performance. Now the new platform enhances that mission by giving both buyers and sellers a faster, easier, and more transparent way to transact. Previously operating as a buyer-only platform with a curated selection of quality SEO domains, the new SerpDomains marketplace allows aged domain owners to submit, list, and sell directly through the site. The result is a dynamic, seller-driven ecosystem that maintains the brand's reputation for quality by vetting every domain through a strict manual review process. Each domain must meet stringent SEO standards, including a clean backlink profile, proven historical performance, and clear niche relevance. SerpDomains The launch represents a major step forward for those seeking niche-relevant expired domains. Every listing on SerpDomains is backed by transparent SEO data, including detailed metrics, backlink analysis, and performance history. Buyers gain instant access to these insights, removing the guesswork traditionally involved in evaluating aged domains. Transactions are fast and frictionless, with ownership transfers typically completed within 24 hours and often in minutes. Sellers, on the other hand, benefit from fast onboarding, expert pricing insights, and direct exposure to SerpDomains' growing network of over 30,000 active buyers. The platform's private marketplace and newsletter channels offer unparalleled visibility for quality domain listings, allowing sellers to offload valuable assets efficiently. SerpDomains remains selective about what gets listed, preferring to work with domains that show clear SEO potential and historical trust. 'We built SerpDomains to cut through the noise,' said a company spokesperson. 'With our new platform, we're now empowering both buyers and sellers with a marketplace built on transparency, speed, and real value.' Another executive added, 'Our mission has always been to deliver aged domains that actually move the needle. This launch opens the door for sellers to reach qualified buyers and for buyers to find assets that rank and convert.' This evolution was driven by growing community demand and the increasing need for a trusted environment to transact valuable aged domains. As traditional domain marketplaces become overwhelmed with low-quality, irrelevant inventory, SerpDomains maintains a strict quality-over-quantity approach that ensures every listing meets professional SEO standards. Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce future enhancements, including automation in domain vetting, more advanced analytics for sellers, intuitive filtering options for buyers, and expanded visibility for listings. These features will support a wide range of users, from SEO and marketing agencies to brand builders, investors, and digital entrepreneurs. SerpDomains serves customers across the United States and internationally, helping them discover aged domains with real organic potential. For more information on SerpDomains's new platform, visit the website at About SerpDomains SerpDomains is a premium marketplace for vetted aged domains, founded in 2019 by SEO professionals and domain investors. It was created to solve the challenge of finding high-quality aged domains in an industry saturated with spammy, low-value inventory. ### Media Contact SerpDomains United States of America (307) 336 3035 Attachment SerpDomains Launches New Marketplace Platform for Premium Aged Domains
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Google AI is worse at Pokemon than I was when I was 5 – taking 800 hours to beat the Elite 4 and having a breakdown when its HP got low
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you're someone who thinks AI is almost ready to take over the world, I have some good or bad (depending on your stance on things) news for you: Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro took over 800 hours to beat the 29-year-old children's game Pokemon Blue. There's a Twitch account called Gemini_Plays_Pokemon, a pale imitation of the incredible Twitch Plays Pokemon account that started this trend. First things first: how long did it take the AI to actually complete the game? Well, it was a staggering 813 hours. I feel like you could hit buttons randomly and beat the game faster than that. After some tweaks by the creator of this Twitch channel, the AI managed to halve its time to a still outrageous 406.5 hours. That is actually dead on half the time, which is interesting mathematically but still far too long to beat a game you can win with an overleveled Venusaur. Additionally, as spotted by our friends at PC Gamer, Google DeepMind reported on the Twitch account, and something unusual happens whenever its Pokemon get low on health or power points (PP). Whenever one or both of these conditions are met, "model performance appears to correlate with a qualitatively observable degradation in the model's reasoning capability – for instance, completely forgetting to use the pathfinder tool in stretches of gameplay while this condition persists." This, combined with the AI mistakenly thinking it was playing FireRed and LeafGreen and would need to find the Tea to progress, are part of the reasons it took so long to finish. Honestly, AI just isn't very good at playing Pokemon. Someone else made Claude Plays Pokemon, and that AI spent hours trying to get out of Cerulean city because it kept jumping down a ledge to talk to an NPC it had already spoken to dozens of times. So, these AIs aren't able to beat a game that we could when we barely knew our times tables. Let's not worry about them taking our jobs any time soon. In the meantime, check out the best Pokemon games of all time.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
FinThrive Introduces Agentic AI at HFMA 2025 to Help Customers Transform Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management Performance
Company to also highlight advancements in denials and underpayments management and speak to the measurable impact of RCM technology adoption DENVER, June 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FinThrive, Inc., a leading healthcare revenue management software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider, will have a significant presence at the 2025 Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) Annual Conference, which will take place June 22-25 in Denver, Colorado. With high-profile speaking engagements, live demonstrations of cutting-edge solutions, and Agentic AI-driven innovation, FinThrive will showcase how its revenue cycle management platform helps healthcare organizations modernize operations, reduce friction and more strategically and proactively recover revenue. Advancements in Artificial Intelligence – Agentic AI FinThrive is expanding its suite of AI, machine learning (ML), generative AI, and robotic process automation (RPA) tools with the launch of Agentic AI capabilities, a next-generation innovation in healthcare revenue cycle management. Unlike traditional revenue cycle automation tools that rely on predefined rules, agentic AI introduces intelligent digital agents capable of autonomous decision-making, dynamic workflow optimization, and complex task execution. These capabilities enable providers to recover revenue faster, reduce operational friction, and adapt to payer behavior in real time. FinThrive's differentiated approach leverages broad integration across revenue cycle workflows, scalable payer connections, and a real-time data fabric layer that continuously analyzes trends to support optimized execution. In addition to Agentic AI, FinThrive incorporates AI Machine Learning, Generative AI and RPA across its platform to optimize the revenue cycle from cash flow forecasting to prior authorization determination to expediting contract loading. FinThrive's cloud infrastructure and data lake allow for a broad array of use cases to be delivered and enhance existing RCM solutions. FinThrive leverages a broad integration across revenue cycle workflows, scalable payer connections, and a real-time data fabric layer that continuously analyzes trends for optimized execution. This differentiated approach ensures agentic AI delivers not just automation, but intelligent, enterprise-wide transformation across revenue operations. Agentic AI delivers significant advantages across the revenue cycle by enabling intelligent, autonomous operations. It allows digital agents to prioritize accounts, flag incomplete documentation, and apply real-time coding corrections. Complex tasks like payer rule adjustments, eligibility checks, and prior authorization determinations are streamlined through end-to-end automation. The system continuously learns by monitoring payer behavior, integrating feedback loops, and refining execution strategies dynamically – this reduces manual workloads, boosts staff productivity, and enables teams to focus on higher-value activities. At the same time, Agentic AI strengthens compliance by ensuring all documentation and AI-generated content align with regulatory standards. Agentic AI is a key element of a new intelligent data platform FinThrive is launching at the HFMA Annual Conference. This future-ready foundation is the modern operating system for revenue cycle transformation, bringing AI, analytics, and automation together to deliver faster insights, greater accuracy, and measurable performance improvement. By embedding intelligent decision-making and automation across the entire revenue lifecycle, FinThrive will empower healthcare organizations to operate more efficiently, recover revenue faster, and adapt at scale in an evolving payer environment. Agentic AI is only one component of a comprehensive, tech-forward infrastructure FinThrive will launch tomorrow at the conference. This exciting innovation establishes FinThrive as the modern foundation for exponential value creation in healthcare revenue operations, enabling AI, automation, and analytics to work better, faster, and at scale. As FinThrive continues to innovate, multiple AI-driven agents are slated for release in the future. FinThrive's commitment to redefining revenue cycle management through Agentic AI empowers providers to work smarter, recover revenue faster, and drive operational excellence. RCMTAM: Modernization with Measurable Impact During a breakout presentation titled, Connecting RCM Technology Adoption & Modernization Patterns to Financial Performance, Evan Goad, FinThrive's Chief Growth Officer will be joined by Mike Vigo, Chief Revenue Cycle Officer at UC San Diego Health, to share how leading organizations have utilized the results of the RCMTAM in the past year, highlight best practices for financial improvement and what they see for the future of the technology modernization journey. Developed in partnership with HFMA, the RCMTAM is the industry's first company-agnostic benchmarking model designed to help providers assess and prioritize technology investments. Since its launch in late 2023, more than 150 organizations have completed the RCMTAM assessment, with two achieving the coveted Stage 5 level, signifying end-to-end optimization and advanced revenue intelligence. The presentation will occur on June 23 from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. at Mile High 2A & 3A. Onsite Debut: Denials & Underpayments Analyzer Attendees will also get a first look at FinThrive's new Denials & Underpayments Analyzer. The AI-powered tool helps providers convert payer data noise into actionable financial insights, pinpointing denial patterns, underpayment trends, and high-value recovery opportunities. Live demonstrations will be available throughout the event at the FinThrive booth. Visit FinThrive at Booth #631 during HFMA 2025 to explore the latest innovations, connect with our experts and experience what's next in healthcare revenue transformation. About FinThriveFinThrive helps healthcare organizations increase revenue, reduce costs, expand cash collections and ensure regulatory compliance across the entire revenue cycle continuum. Providing one of healthcare's most comprehensive revenue cycle management SaaS platforms, FinThrive's holistic approach to intelligent revenue management offers patient access, charge integrity, claims management, contract management, AI machine learning, generative and agentic AI, robotic process automation, data and analytics, and education solutions. Three out of five U.S. hospitals and health systems are using FinThrive today. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE FinThrive, Inc.
