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Speed guide

# Internet Speeds Explained: What Mbps and Gbps Actually Mean

6 min read · Updated January 2026 · Independent editorial from BroadConnectNow

## What Is Mbps?

Mbps stands for megabits per second, the standard unit for measuring internet speed. A plan advertised at 200 Mbps can theoretically transfer 200 million bits per second.

Gbps means gigabits per second. One gigabit equals 1,000 Mbps.

## Download vs. Upload Speed

Plan advertisements usually emphasize download speed. Upload speed matters when you send data: video calls, cloud backup, live streaming, and large-file uploads.

Cable plans are asymmetric — upload is much slower than download.
A 500 Mbps cable plan may provide only 20–35 Mbps upload. Fiber plans often provide matching speeds.

## How Much Speed Does Your Household Need?

Activity | Minimum download | Recommended upload
--- | --- | ---
HD streaming (1 device) | 5–10 Mbps | —
4K streaming (1 device) | 25 Mbps | —
Video call | 10 Mbps | 5 Mbps
Online gaming | 25 Mbps | 5 Mbps
Smart-home device | 1–5 Mbps each | —
Large file transfers | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps

## Household Size Recommendations

1–2 People 100–200 Mbps Cable or fiber
3–4 People 200–500 Mbps Cable or fiber
5+ People / Power Users 500 Mbps–1 Gbps Fiber preferred
Rural / No Cable 25–100 Mbps Fixed wireless / satellite

## Frequently Asked Questions

How many Mbps do I need for streaming?
Netflix recommends 15 Mbps for 4K. A household with multiple streams should plan for additional bandwidth.

What speed is needed for working from home?
For video conferencing, plan for at least 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload per person.

Is 100 Mbps enough?
For one or two people with typical streaming and browsing, 100 Mbps is usually sufficient.

## Find Plans at the Right Speed

Use our calculator or compare plans directly.

Speed Calculator →Compare Fiber Plans
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