Latest news with #Li-Fi
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best Multi-gig Internet Plans for February 2025
The way we get online is constantly evolving and we're seeing a rise in faster speeds, thanks in large part to technologies like fiber-optic internet, Wi-Fi 7 and even unique technologies like Li-Fi. Over the years, internet speeds have gotten faster. According to the most recent report from the USTelecom Broadband, speed offerings between 100 and 940Mbps have increased since 2015. In addition, according to data from OpenVault collected during the first quarter of 2024, gigabit internet adoption increased by 20% from 2023. Another report from OpenVault shows that in the second quarter of 2024, the percentage of customers with speeds lower than 400 megabits per second decreased by 33% from last year -- meaning more and more customers are relying on faster internet speeds. We're on the fast track to seeing high-speed internet become faster: The Fiber Broadband Association believes that by the end of this decade, a four-person household will require over 2,100Mbps (or just over 2 gigabits) in download speed. Sure, it's not 2030 yet, and making that big of an upgrade is probably overkill for households that simply don't need that much speed. But that's certainly not stopping internet service providers from offering multigigabit packages to customers, and more households are turning to those high-speed options to shoulder their broadband needs. Multi-gig services are offered by AT&T, Frontier, Optimum, Verizon Fios, and Ziply Fiber, to name a few. Other ISPs, including Comcast's Xfinity and Google Fiber, also have solid multi-gig offerings. Multi-gigabit internet has speeds that are higher than a gigabit (or 1,000 megabits per second). So naturally, speed tiers of 2-,3-,4-,5,000Mbps and beyond all constitute multi-gigabit internet. Note that although our round-up primarily includes multi-gig offerings from fiber internet providers, there are a few cable internet providers that made the list as well. Cable internet is currently the most broadly available internet connection type, according to the Federal Communications Commission, but multi-gig offerings from cable providers are not always as common as those from fiber internet providers. This list will focus on the best multi-gig internet offerings from the major ISPs in the country but don't overlook smaller regional providers; seek out the competitive plans available. For instance, Midco offers South Dakota residents symmetrical speeds of 2Gbps and 5Gbps plans. Minnesota's USI boasts a 10-gig fiber plan. The citizens of Chattanooga, Tennessee, have access to one of the country's fastest residential plans, a 25Gbps tier from the city-owned fiber broadband of EPB. If you're eligible for a multi-gig internet plan, it's most likely coming from a national internet provider. With that in mind, let's look at some of the best 2-gigabit and multi-gig internet plans available nationwide. The three options we listed above rose to the top of our list but aren't available in all markets. Additional speedy plans offered by other ISPs might get your attention, but they have one or two caveats that keep them from our winner's circle. Here are additional multi-gigabit plans from national providers. AT&T Fiber 5 Gig: AT&T once had the top spot in this list with its top-tier fiber internet offering. It was introduced at $180 a month for symmetrical 5Gbps speeds. Now, it lists for $245 monthly. That's still a staggeringly low cost of 5 cents per Mbps. Currently, Frontier Fiber and Ziply Fiber offer cheaper rates than that. Frontier Fiber 2 Gig, 5 Gig and 7 Gig: Impressively, Frontier has rolled these multi-gig plans out to all fiber households within its footprint, which means about four million customers across 29 states. For context, AT&T's multi-gigabit plans are available to more people (7 million) but are not yet available in all AT&T markets. Frontier's offerings also has free Wi-Fi 6E equipment rental (Wi-Fi 7 equipment with the 7-gig plan), unlimited data, no contracts, no installation or activation fee and free multi-device security. Even better, Frontier recently lowered the introductory rates to $100 monthly for its 2 Gig and $130 monthly for its 5 Gig plan. Optimum 2 Gig Fiber and 5 Gig Fiber: Optimum, whose footprint includes both cable and fiber connections, has been working to vastly expand its fiber offerings. Just recently, Optimum has brought speeds of up to 8Gbps to West Orange, New Jersey residents. In select fiber markets, two multi-gig internet plans are available in Connecticut, Long Island, New Jersey and New York. The 2Gbps plan is $90 monthly, and the 5Gbps tier is $120 monthly. New customers for either multi-gigabit plan have the equipment included at no extra cost. Verizon Fios 2 Gig: Verizon Fios is often near the top regarding customer satisfaction numbers. Its 2Gbps tier is competitively priced at $110 per month and includes a free year-long subscription to Netflix and Max (with ads). In addition, you get to keep your monthly price of $110 for up to five years. It didn't make the top of our list for the best multi-gig internet because it's currently only available in New York City and surrounding areas. Xfinity Gigabit Pro: To its credit, Xfinity has been offering its multi-gigabit tier longer than other national providers. But at $300 a month, it's also one of the most expensive plans. The 10Gbps plan is technically available in all cities within Xfinity's footprint, but a site survey must first confirm availability for your address. Once you add the two-year contract requirement (with early termination fees looming if you bail early), a $20-a-month equipment rental charge and stiff activation and installation fees (potentially totaling $1,000), those top speeds can come with steep costs. Ziply Fiber 2 Gig, 5 Gig and 10 Gig: Ziply Fiber boasts the fastest speeds from an internet provider. Its 50Gbps plan will sure catch your attention. But you'll pay a steep $900 a month for the top speeds. Fortunately, Ziply Fiber offers other multi-gig plans. The 2Gbps plan has a promo rate of $60 a month, as does the 5Gbps plan, which is excellently priced at $80 per month. The 10Gbps plan is a pricey $300 per month, but that's a notable value of 3 cents per Mbps. All Ziply Fiber plans include unlimited data and require no contracts. Note that the plans below show each provider's fastest available speeds, which may not be available in your area. Overall, the best selection for you -- and the most cost-effective plan -- might be a different tier at a lower price but a better value. To more fully understand this value-based approach, check out CNET's guide to examining the cost per Mbps. Source: CNET analysis of provider data. Multi-gigabit internet is a broadband plan of 2,000 megabits per second (2 gigabits) or higher. Most multi-gigabit plans come from a fiber-optic internet connection, but some cable internet providers, like Xfinity, offer up to 2 gigs. Xfinity's 10Gbps plan isn't cable internet but a fiber connection. In most cases, especially if you already have fiber internet service, you won't have to do anything beyond contacting your provider to upgrade to a multi-gig internet plan. There may be an installation fee (often waived if you order online), but usually, any additional equipment you need (a modem/router capable of multi-gig speeds) will be included. To take advantage of Xfinity's Gigabit Pro plan, you'll need to reach out to Xfinity and schedule a site survey. Even if you're a current Xfinity customer or know you're in an Xfinity serviceable area, Comcast will still need to see if your home is within the minimum distance from a fiber node. If everything checks out, it may take several weeks before your household can get Gigabit Pro fully installed. Generally speaking, the top multi-gig internet plans are relatively affordable with a fiber internet connection. Fiber typically provides the best performance, featuring symmetrical or near-equal download and upload speeds, and presents the cheapest options. For example, Optimum's 2Gbps plan is currently offered at $90 a month in the first year, and Ziply Fiber's 2Gbps plan, which includes unlimited data, checks in at $60 a month. Ziply Fiber's 10Gbps plan, which isn't cheap at $300 monthly, has a cost per Mbps of 3 cents, which is good. Ziply's 5Gbps tier is just over 2 cents per Mbps, the best value we've seen. None of those plans require a contract. Conversely, Xfinity's Gigabit Pro is one of the more expensive multi-gig plans. It costs $300 per month, and you can only get it if you sign up for a two-year contract. The cost per Mbps, at 3 cents, is good, but there's a $20-a-month rental charge for equipment. There's also a hefty additional expenditure right out of the gate: Households face an activation fee of up to $500 and an additional installation fee of another $500. That's $1,000 before you even get to the regular monthly charges. Perhaps. Even if you go with the most expensive plan, the monthly cost per Mbps of multi-gigabit internet is quite competitive. Plus, these plans' near-symmetrical upload and download speeds certainly give your household plenty of opportunities to utilize many connected devices now and in the future. Most households don't need that much speed. Dropping down to a provider's gigabit plan, for example, still gives you plenty of bandwidth at just 5 to 10 cents per Mbps -- often with modem/router fees included. It may not be as flashy as having 2-gig internet or the fastest residential plan currently available, but it'll get you some splashy speeds at a more affordable price.
Express Tribune
11-02-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Govt schoolkids exhibit tech solutions
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched the largest government schools science and technology show in the country's history. She visited the Government Pilot Higher Secondary School and distributed cash prizes among the winners of Jashn STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and methamatics) in eight categories. Students and their teachers from Hafizabad, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan received prizes. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz viewed the stalls of schools of all districts in the exhibition, inspected models made by the students and congratulated them. Students presented her sketches, paintings and pieces of calligraphy. The chief minister viewed models of human heart and nervous system as students briefed her. Models of a water recycling plant, air purifier, fire and flame detector, home security system, hydraulic jack system, wastewater treatment plant, hydraulic excavator, wind energy, auto lighting, radar detection, smog collector and refrigerator were also displayed. The exhibition also showcased hydroelectric generator, sugar refinery, hydraulic parking system and a smart home model. A student from Rajanpur presented a 'Li-Fi' model 100 times faster than WiFi. Animated video, hydraulic bridge, thermal solar energy system, earthquake detector, AI robotic car and robotic cleaning models were also exhibited. A student presented a model of converting music sound into electrical energy Gas detection, space shuttle launching and solar security system were also exhibited. Around 300,000 students from 6,000 Hhigh schools participated in the competitions. The students prepared 5,000 models related to science, technology and maths for the competitions. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated in her message on International Day of Women and Girls in Science that the role of women in the world of science and technology is indispensable. She added, 'For progress, we must equip our daughters with modern sciences and IT skills.' She highlighted, 'Punjab government is taking practical steps to bring women and girls forward in scientific and technical fields.' The chief minister said, 'Thousands of female students are being given full tuition fees, especially in scientific fields, through Honhaar Scholarship Programme. Now no girl's dream in Punjab will remain unfulfilled due to lack of resources.' Chief Minister Maryam said, 'The aim of laptop scheme is to provide female students with access to modern technology. Our daughters will be able to improve their educational and professional skills through the scheme.' She underscored, 'Women are gaining a prominent position in the global digital market through advanced IT training programmes.' She said, 'A free Wi-Fi programme has been started in Lahore for the public, especially female students.' She added, 'Pakistan's development is linked to the development of women.' Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, 'We will provide every facility to our daughters that will help them move forward in science, technology and IT according to world standards.' She added, 'We are creating a Punjab where women do not lag behind anyone in development, rather stand at the forefront.'
