We are more reliant on the internet than ever before. From working from home to gaming to streaming all your favourites, we’d have to think back to how we lived 5 years ago if the internet ever went off! 10 years ago, people would have asked, “Do you have broadband yet?”, now the questions are more likely to be “what speed plan are you on?” or “what provider are you with?”. As our lives become more intertwined with the World Wide Web, the quality of our online experience is significantly impacted by the speed of our internet connection.
Two commonly available internet speeds are 50Mbps and 100Mbps. These figures represent the download speeds offered by internet service providers, and understanding the nuances between them can make a substantial difference in our online activities.
Mbps Explained
Before comparing the speeds, let’s understand what Mbps actually means! Mbps stands for megabits per second, a unit used to measure data transfer rates. Essentially, it indicates how quickly data can be downloaded or uploaded from the internet.
50Mbps: The tried and true speed.
A 50Mbps connection is a great speed to have! It’s a solid, dependable option for households or individuals with moderate online needs. With this speed, you can comfortably stream high-definition videos, engage in video calls without significant lags, and download files relatively quickly.
For smaller households or individuals who use the internet for regular browsing, social media, light streaming, and occasional gaming, a 50Mbps connection often provides a satisfying experience.
100Mbps: The new 50!
Levelling up your internet connection, a 100Mbps connection brings in a considerable boost in speed. It offers faster downloads, smoother streaming experiences even in 4K resolution, and quicker uploads. With this speed, multiple users in a household can simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities without causing a noticeable slowdown.
For households with multiple users engaging in activities such as online gaming, HD or 4K streaming on multiple devices, frequent large file downloads, or remote work involving video conferencing and file sharing, a 100Mbps connection provides ample headroom for a seamless online experience.
What to choose; what to choose?
The decision between 50Mbps and 100Mbps often boils down to individual or household requirements. Factors such as the number of users, types of online activities, and budget considerations play crucial roles in determining the optimal speed.
One of the big pitfalls of 50Mbps is that streaming services can burst to 50Mbps (or more) which can cause the connection to momentarily hit max utilisation. When max utilisation is reached, if you’re using real time applications like Voice/Video calls/Gaming, it can cause issues. This is most problematic for gamers as it can cause the game to freeze or rubberband. This can be avoided by having a 100Mbps connection. This gives you more buffer for the ordinary use of the connection. So, in a small household, 50Mbps might be more than sufficient, but in a larger one where people are using devices like phones, TVs, etc. simultaneously, the connection can have peaks of utilisation that hit that 50mbps quite frequently. Depending on your household size and daily usage, 100Mbps or higher may be the plan for you.
Finding Your Internet Speed Sweet Spot
In the internet space, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Both 50Mbps and 100Mbps connections offer their own set of advantages, catering to different user needs and preferences. Understanding your internet habits, assessing the number of users, the number of devices, and the nature of your online activities can guide you in choosing the speed that aligns best with your requirements.
Ultimately, whether it’s 50Mbps or 100Mbps, the goal is to enjoy a seamless online experience that empowers you to explore, create, and connect without the frustration of sluggish internet speeds holding you back. As technology evolves, so too do our internet needs, and the key lies in finding the right speed to keep pace with our digital lifestyles. You can also check out our blog post that discusses the best internet for smart homes for more information.
If you haven’t already, try Leaptel for your seamless, reliable internet connection. We’re the better value Aussie internet provider!