Latest news with #OpenVault
CNET
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
I Tried AT&T Fiber: Here's Why I Won't Be Upgrading From the Slowest Plan Any Time Soon
When I moved to a house that was serviceable for fiber internet, I jumped at the chance to ditch cable for fiber. My roommates and I had spent the past three years with Spectrum, often frustrated by the occasional price increases and internet outages in our area. Switching to fiber internet meant symmetrical download and upload speeds and better reliability for roughly the same price I'd been paying Spectrum. I'll level with you: $55 for 300 megabits per second download speed is not the best internet deal in the industry. There are plenty of better internet deals, like Frontier Fiber's 500Mbps for $30 monthly or even Spectrum's 500Mbps for $50 monthly. But if you want to switch to fiber internet and have limited internet options like me, AT&T's lowest tier is worth a try. Although I work 100% remotely, I'd consider my internet usage below average. According to the latest data from OpenVault, the average household uses around 564Mbps in download speed. There are a maximum of two smart devices in my house, and usually only one or two devices are online at a time, making 300Mbps plenty of speed to go around. However, if you and the members of your household have higher-than-average internet usage habits, 300Mbps will likely not be enough. If you have gamers, more than one remote worker and a decent line-up of smart devices, 300Mbps simply won't get you very far. But if you're trying to stick to a budget and your internet use is on the lighter end, AT&T's FIber 300 plan might just work for you. Here's everything you need to know. How does AT&T Fiber 300 stack up to similar options cost-wise? Before signing up for AT&T, I knew I wanted to keep my monthly internet costs below $60 monthly. The average monthly cost of internet is around $63, not including hidden fees or equipment costs, and I didn't want to exceed that amount. Locating local internet providers The cheapest internet plan from any provider typically offers the lowest available speeds for the highest cost per Mbps, making it one of the least cost-efficient options despite the low monthly fees. AT&T's Fiber 300 plan is no exception. Even though it's the provider's cheapest internet plan, it has a cost per Mbps of around 18 cents. That's the highest speed/price ratio of any AT&T Fiber plan. It is also higher than entry-level plans from other leading internet service providers, including Spectrum and Quantum Fiber, which both offer speeds up to 500Mbps starting at $50 a month. Those plans are $5 cheaper than AT&T Fiber 300 and offer almost double the speed. Still, the AT&T Fiber 300 plan is a solid choice for home internet, especially if you're limited on high-speed internet options and trying to stick to a budget. In my case, I wanted to avoid paying $80 monthly for AT&T's 1-gig plan -- a speed I was sure would go to waste in my house. The next speed tier up, AT&T Fiber 500, was also a viable option at $65 monthly, but I had a feeling 500Mbps would be too much speed for my internet usage, too. Smart devices can be sneaky bandwidth hogs. Take stock of your home's connected devices to determine how much internet speed you really need. Getty Images While AT&T Fiber 300 is not as cheap or fast as entry plans from some providers, AT&T adds value in other ways. Let's take a closer look at the plan's terms of service. AT&T Fiber 300: No data caps, contracts or equipment fees The speed and reliability of a fiber internet connection outpace offerings from cable internet, and I've definitely noticed the difference. Although Spectrum offers 500Mbps in download speed, upload speeds max out at 20Mbps. As a remote worker, I rely on fast upload speeds for video calls, sharing/uploading documents and doing research. Since making the switch to fiber internet, my video call quality has increased and I'm not experiencing any of the usual network congestion during peak usage times. I've stressed the cost and speed value of the AT&T Fiber 300 plan so far, and for a good reason, but what else is there to the plan and AT&T service, in general? AT&T Fiber plans come with unlimited data, meaning I don't have to monitor my monthly data usage to avoid throttled speeds or overage fees. There are also no contract requirements and no added monthly equipment fees. Overall, I pay a flat rate of $55 monthly: there are no extra costs for renting a router (unlike Spectrum's $10 router charge for its 500Mbps plan) or charges for going over a data limit. That's a good deal, considering the speeds I get. Speaking of which, let's take a look at what 300Mbps looks like in my house. Is 300Mbps a good speed? I used Speedtest by Ookla to gauge my internet connectivity at different hours of the day. Screenshot by Cierra Noffke/CNET When you sign up for an internet plan, your internet provider only guarantees speeds "up to" the value of the plan. So, although I'm paying for 300Mbps, I don't always get that speed consistently. My speeds have dipped as low as 273Mbps, but I've also seen them as high as 350Mbps. Still, the speeds I see overall are much more consistent than what I got with a cable internet connection.. According to the Federal Communications Commission, 300Mbps should be more than enough speed to game online, stream in HD or 4K and simultaneously take Zoom calls on multiple devices. The official recommendation from the FCC is a minimum speed of 4Mbps for online multiplayer games, 25Mbps for streaming in 4K and 6Mbps for HD videoconferencing, all well below 300Mbps. Additionally, while speeds of 300Mbps can support numerous devices at once (10 or more depending on the activity on each), each connected device will consume its share of bandwidth. The more devices you connect, the slower your actual speeds will likely be on each. Since I work remotely and my partner doesn't, typically, throughout the day, there are as few as two devices working at a time. Neither of us games online, and we only have one smart TV; 300Mbps is plenty to go around for our internet usage. I tried a few easy steps to optimize that 300Mbps, like placing my router in a central, raised location in my office and taking a few speed tests to gauge the connection in different rooms. Since my router is in my office, a room near the back of the house, I initially worried that my smart TV wouldn't get consistent speeds. AT&T does offer smart Wi-Fi extenders, which I briefly considered, but for the cost of $10 monthly, it would be more efficient to upgrade to the next tier and pay $65 monthly for 500Mbps. I don't foresee myself making that upgrade yet. Surprisingly, when I tested my internet connection speed with Ookla's Speedtest, I found that the speeds in my living room (315Mbps) were slightly faster than those in my office (298Mbps). (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Although my smart TV does see the occasional lag, it doesn't happen often, and my work days are uninterrupted with a smooth Wi-Fi connection. Speedtest will record download and upload speeds so you can track your internet speed fluctuation. Screenshot by Cierra Noffke/CNET Larger households with bandwidth-hungry devices like smart TVs, video game consoles, smartphones and tablets may require more speed to accommodate everyone's needs, especially if more than one user is online at a time. If that's the case, and you want to stick with AT&T, consider upgrading to the AT&T Fiber 500 plan for an additional $10 per month or to AT&T Fiber 1000, which starts at $80 per month. So is AT&T Fiber 300 fast enough? It should be for most households. According to the average tested residential download speed in the US for November 2024 was 262Mbps, so you'll potentially get speeds higher than the national average with AT&T Fiber 300. Again, a constant speed of 300Mbps is unlikely with AT&T Fiber 300, especially when using a Wi-Fi connection but I've seen consistent speeds since signing up for the service. Still, the plan is likely to offer plenty of speed for the average user or handful of users and most, if not all, of their devices. AT&T Fiber 300 FAQs Where is AT&T Fiber available? AT&T Fiber internet service is available to around 11% of US households. Serviceability is highest in the South and Midwest and parts of California and Nevada. Fiber service, including that of AT&T Fiber, is often only available in cities or suburban areas with a high population density. How much is AT&T Fiber 300? AT&T Fiber 300 starts at $55 per month, plus taxes and fees. This price includes a $5 discount for enrolling in autopay, so be sure to do so when signing up.
Time Business News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Leveraging Analytics for Proactive Broadband Management
Maintaining a broadband network that is both reliable and effective is of the utmost importance in this day and age, since it is essential for both users and providers. As the demand for broadband services continues to rise, the administration of networks has gotten more complicated. By utilizing data analytics for proactive broadband management, it is possible to drastically improve network performance, proactively handle issues, and increase customer happiness. The purpose of this guide is to investigate various implementations of data analytics in proactive network management, with a particular emphasis on solutions such as those provided by OpenVault. Broadband management that is proactive involves making use of data and analytics in order to anticipate and resolve network issues before they have an effect on customers themselves. On the other hand, reactive management, in which problems are only addressed after they have already occurred, is in contrast to this method. Real-time data and predictive analytics allow network operators to assure smoother operations, reduce downtime, and improve user experience. These benefits can be achieved by employing these technologies. Enhanced User Experience: Proactive management helps prevent disruptions, ensuring a consistent and reliable service for users. Proactive management helps prevent disruptions, ensuring a consistent and reliable service for users. Cost Efficiency: Early detection and resolution of issues can reduce maintenance costs and prevent more significant problems. Early detection and resolution of issues can reduce maintenance costs and prevent more significant problems. Network Optimization: Continuous monitoring and data analysis enable the optimization of network performance, leading to better resource allocation. Real-time monitoring involves continuously tracking network performance and user activity. Tools like OpenVault's Broadband Management and Analysis Platform (BMAP) provide real-time insights into network usage and potential issues. Example Tools: SolarWinds, Incognito, and OpenVault offer robust real-time monitoring solutions. SolarWinds, Incognito, and OpenVault offer robust real-time monitoring solutions. Benefits: Immediate detection of anomalies, real-time alerts for potential issues, and quick response times. In order to estimate the behavior of networks in the future, predictive analytics makes use of historical data and computational learning techniques. By taking this strategy, operators are able to preemptively anticipate problems before they arise. Example Tools: OpenVault's OVBI (OpenVault Broadband Insight) uses predictive analytics to provide actionable insights. OpenVault's OVBI (OpenVault Broadband Insight) uses predictive analytics to provide actionable insights. Benefits: Anticipating congestion, predicting hardware failures, and planning for capacity upgrades. Conducting an analysis of user behavior is beneficial for gaining an understanding of usage patterns and locating potential problems that are caused by particular user actions. Through the monitoring of how users interact with the network, operators are able to adapt solutions to effectively increase performance. Example Tools: Solutions from companies like Plume and Calix offer detailed user behavior analytics. Solutions from companies like Plume and Calix offer detailed user behavior analytics. Benefits: Personalized user experiences, identification of high-demand areas, and targeted upgrades. The process of capacity planning involves making projections about future network demands by analyzing historical data and studying current usage patterns. Through the implementation of this method, the network will be able to manage greater loads without experiencing a decline in performance. Example Tools: OpenVault's capacity planning tools provide insights into future demands. OpenVault's capacity planning tools provide insights into future demands. Benefits: Prevents network congestion, ensures scalability, and optimizes resource allocation. Anomaly detection algorithms identify unusual patterns in network traffic that could indicate potential issues. By setting baseline performance metrics, operators can detect deviations and address them promptly. Example Tools: IBM's QRadar and Cisco's Secure Network Analytics. IBM's QRadar and Cisco's Secure Network Analytics. Benefits: Early detection of security threats, identification of malfunctioning equipment, and prevention of service disruptions. Through the utilization of sophisticated data analytics, OpenVault provides a collection of broadband management solutions that are intended to improve proactive broadband management. For the purpose of ensuring that the network is operating at its full potential, their products concentrate on real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and user behavior analysis. Features: Real-time monitoring, usage tracking, and detailed analytics. Real-time monitoring, usage tracking, and detailed analytics. Benefits: Provides immediate insights into network health and user activity, enabling quick response to potential issues. Features: Predictive analytics, detailed reporting, and trend analysis. Predictive analytics, detailed reporting, and trend analysis. Benefits: OVBI Helps anticipate network demands, identify potential bottlenecks, and optimize overall network performance. SolarWinds offers comprehensive network management solutions that include real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and capacity planning. Their tools are widely used by network operators to ensure seamless broadband management. Incognito provides solutions for device provisioning, IP address management, and network analytics. Their focus on automation and data-driven insights helps operators manage networks efficiently and proactively. Calix's cloud-based platform offers detailed analytics on user behavior and network performance. Their tools help operators deliver personalized experiences and optimize network resources. Utilize tools that provide real-time data and alerts to stay ahead of potential issues. Ensure your monitoring system covers all critical aspects of your network. Invest in solutions that offer predictive capabilities to forecast future network behavior and demands. Use these insights to plan upgrades and prevent congestion. Regularly analyze user activity to identify patterns and potential issues. Tailor your network management strategies to meet the specific needs of your users. Use historical data and predictive models to plan for future capacity needs. Ensure your network can scale efficiently to handle increased loads. Set up anomaly detection systems to identify unusual patterns in network traffic. Address these anomalies promptly to maintain optimal performance and security. The utilization of data analytics for the purpose of proactive broadband management is absolutely necessary in order to keep a network that is both high-performing and reliable. Through the utilization of real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and user behavior analysis, operators are able to accurately anticipate and handle issues before they have an effect on users. Tools that are necessary for the successful implementation of these tactics are provided by a variety of solutions, including OpenVault, SolarWinds, Incognito, and others. Investing in these technologies not only improves the level of happiness experienced by users, but it also improves the performance of the network and lowers the expenses associated with operations. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
CNET
21-05-2025
- CNET
Have You Checked Your Upload Speeds? Here's Why You Should
The Federal Communications Commission defines the minimum broadband benchmark as download speeds of 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of 20Mbps. Do you know if you're receiving enough speed for both? To better understand how much speed your household needs, you must pay attention to your upload speeds as well. When we talk about internet speed, we often refer to download speeds, but what about the upload side of the equation? And though the average household's need for faster upload speeds keeps growing, they're often overlooked. According to OpenVault's fourth-quarter 2024 report, upstream data consumption (or upload speeds) reached an all-time high, a 14% increase from the year prior. Though you may have signed up for an internet plan with decent download speeds, without decent upload speeds, you'll still suffer from a buffering and lagging internet connection. So, what do you use those upload speeds for? And what's a good upload speed for your home? You'll find the answers below. For more Wi-Fi tips, check out the best spot to put your router to speed up your internet, and our picks for the best Wi-Fi routers, the best mesh routers and the best Wi-Fi extenders. Sure, download speeds are most important... Just about everything we use the internet for relies on download speeds. You probably don't think about it when you're streaming the latest episode of Black Mirror or shopping online for a new iPhone case, but those activities involve downloading data from the internet. Your download speeds determine how quickly and easily you can download that data -- as in, how good the streaming quality is and how fast the web page and high-quality images load. Locating local internet providers The faster your speed, the better your experience is likely to be. Speeds of 100Mbps and higher are often sufficient, but what constitutes a "good" download speed will vary for every household and the number of connected devices. But fast internet upload speeds will come in handy Now, you probably don't think about it while posting your seventh cat video to Instagram today (keep 'em coming!) or logging into a Zoom for a meeting, but both of these everyday activities rely on uploading data to the internet. Also, consider this: When you search for Severance on Apple TV Plus, you enter data and send it to the internet -- that's an upload. When you type in "new iPhone case" in the search bar and hit Enter, you're uploading data. When someone "likes" your cat video (it's possible it was me), they are uploading data, too. Granted, you don't need blazing-fast upload speeds for this, but you're still relying on the upload side of your connection. Here are some other ways we make use of upload speeds: Video chatting on Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, etc. Gaming online Submitting work or homework, and working and learning from home in general Voice over IP calling Posting to social media What determines how quickly and easily you can perform these tasks? You guessed it: your upload speeds. When it comes to your upload speeds, again, faster is better, but you can get by with upload speeds that are slower than your download speed. How much speed do you need? For nearly a decade, the FCC deemed upload speeds of 3Mbps and higher as a broadband connection. The FCC recently updated its broadband definition to 100Mbps for downloads and 20Mbps for uploads. I recommend upload speeds higher than 20Mbps, if available, especially if your household has multiple people working or learning from home. Still, 20Mbps should be enough to meet most of the minimum requirements for applications such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Microsoft recommends a minimum upload speed of 1.2 to 1.5Mbps for high-quality video meetings and at least 2Mbps for group meetings. Zoom is a bit more demanding, requiring a minimum upload speed of 1.2Mbps for 1:1 high-quality video calling and 3.8 to 4Mbps for 1080p HD video group calling. Remember that these are minimum speed requirements for a single device. As such, you're likely to benefit from much faster speeds. In addition, different online activities require a certain amount of bandwidth. To learn more, read our comprehensive internet speed guide. How to find out your internet upload speed A good speed test will give you an idea of your upload speeds. Many different online speed tests are available, but CNET recommends Ookla as a top pick due to its consistency, accuracy and ability to provide your speed test history. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Run a few speed tests using different devices in different locations throughout your home to gauge your connection's upload speed performance. If your upload speeds are lower than you think they should be, check out our list of common issues with speed performance and how to fix them. For more tips on improving your internet connection and everything else that keeps your home running, browse our CNET Home Tips section. Have you checked your upload speeds FAQs What are upload speeds? Your upload speeds also refer to upstream data, which measures how quickly you can send data to the internet. Most fiber connections offer symmetrical speeds which means your download and upload speeds are the same. In all other cases, your upload speeds are typically slower than your download speeds. Many online activities rely on your upload speeds, such as video chatting, online gaming, working from home, voice over IP calling and posting on social media. How can I determine what my upload speeds are? Taking an online internet speed test is one quick and easy way to determine how much speed you're getting in your home. CNET's recommended internet speed test is Ookla due to its consistency, reliability and ability to provide you with your speed test history -- if you have an account. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
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.
