On this page

• Overview of internet speeds
• Internet speed trends 
• Most popular internet speed plans
• Importance of internet speed
• Future internet speed trends

Internet speed trends have changed drastically as internet technology has advanced. During the early days of internet, global internet speed was shy of 1 Mbps – a speed that wouldn’t let you do much of anything today. 

Now, internet activity is intertwined with all aspects of daily life, whether it’s work, entertainment or social functions. And with this increased influence comes the increase in speed necessary for the internet activities we all know and love, from gaming, streaming, browsing, social networking and more. 

But what internet speeds are popular today? We’ll go over some recent internet speed trends and let you know what types of speed you need for a modern-day internet connection. 

Overview of internet speeds 

Internet speeds vary based on internet service providers (ISPs), technology type and plan. Speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps). These two units tell you how fast data is transferred over your internet connection. 1,000 Mbps is equal to 1 Gbps. 

Some internet technologies, like fiber, are faster than others such as satellite internet. That said, internet speed tiers can range anywhere from 25 Mbps to 8,000 Mbps and higher – it all depends on the provider you’re looking at. 

Download vs. upload speed 

When looking at internet speed, you’ll usually see two numbers – one representing download speed and one for upload speed. Download speed is the main factor you are likely looking at to determine which plan to choose. It will be either higher than the upload speed or the same if your ISP offers symmetrical speeds. 

Download speed refers to the speed at which the internet connection allows you to receive data (think texts, images, downloading videos, etc.). You need a good download speed if you are planning to browse, stream or game on the internet. 

Upload speed refers to the speed at which you can send data from one device to another. Downloading is more common, which is why the speed is usually higher for internet plans, but upload speed is still important. Sending emails, video chatting, gaming and other activities require adequate upload speed to avoid lag and latency. 

Some ISPs offer symmetrical download and upload speeds, offering you a high-quality internet connection based on your internet needs. 

Factors affecting internet speeds

Certain factors affect your internet speed, like network congestion, technology type and even location. 

Network congestion

Think of network congestion as a traffic jam on the highway. It occurs when a network (highway) is overloaded with data (cars). There are many causes of network congestion, but too many connected devices over one network is a common one. 

If you have many people using multiple devices at once and your network is not equipped to handle it, then you may experience connection timeouts and latency. Looking for a higher speed is important if you think you will have many simultaneously connected devices. 

Technology type

Internet technology type can also determine internet speed. As we mentioned above, some technology types like fiber and cable are faster than others like satellite or DSL. 

Fiber is the fastest internet technology type, with some fiber providers offering speeds as high as 6,000 Mbps. Satellite providers, on the other hand, offer much slower speeds. 

Location

Location is another factor to consider when it comes to internet speed. If you live in a rural area, it’s likely you will not have the same internet options as someone living in an urban location. Satellite internet is a common option for rural communities, providing you with slower speeds than other areas. 

Location also determines fixed wireless internet speeds, like 5G internet. Your proximity to a cell tower will determine the quality of your fixed wireless internet speeds – the farther away you are, the slower your speeds will be. 

Current internet speed trends

According to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, the U.S. has a median fixed broadband speed of 207 Mbps download and 23 Mbps of upload speed as of July 2023 – for sixth in the world. 

Overview of global internet speeds

Ookla estimates that global internet speeds went up 28% between 2021 and 2022. Singapore is ranked No. 1 with 241 Mbps, followed by Hong Kong, Chile with 223 Mbps and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 220 Mbps.

Most popular internet speed plans 

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) currently defines high-speed internet as at least 25/3 Mbps. This is less than what most U.S. households have and what popular providers offer, considering the influence of internet in today’s digital world. The FCC is even pushing to increase the broadband speed standard to 100/20 Mbps.

That being said, popular high-speed internet tiers usually range from 100 – 8,000 Mbps, depending on factors like number of devices and types of internet activities. 

Internet plans compared 

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 08/24/23. **PABP & Paperless billing + taxes and equip fee. Price includes $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). $10/mo. equip. fee applies. 08/24/23. **Wireless speeds may vary.

Why is internet speed important? 

Your internet speed determines the quality of your internet experience. If you do not have enough speed for the types of activities you do and amount of devices you have, your experience will suffer. 

First, consider how many people are connecting to your home network. If it’s just you and another person, you won’t need as much internet speed as a family of five or six would. But, you also need to consider the types of internet activities you will be doing. 

Even if you only have one or two people connected to your home network but partake in bandwidth-heavy internet activities, like gaming, getting a plan with faster speeds to support that activity is a good idea. Otherwise, you could experience latency and lag that would impact your overall experience. 

Other internet activities like working or learning from home also require enough speed to support things like video chatting, online classes, downloading data, etc. So, consider your daily internet activities when you choose your speed. 

Future trends in internet speeds 

The standard for internet speed will continue to increase as technology advances. If we look at the early 2000s when the global average internet speed was just shy of 1 Mbps, it’s hard to imagine today’s standard. But, back then, the technology could not support today’s fast internet speeds. 

Today, gigabit and multi-gigabit internet connections are common with many providers offering over 1 Gbps. Some, like Frontier, AT&T and Xfinity offer from 4,700 – 10,000 Mbps. While you may never need that much speed, you can expect them to continue increasing as internet technology advances. 

The bottom line 

Your internet speed is important. It will determine whether you experience lag every time you game or take a Zoom call, have trouble downloading files or experience long load times while streaming. With more advanced internet technology, popular internet plan speeds usually range from 100 Mbps and higher.

Make sure you determine the right internet speed for your needs, considering the number of devices you’ll have connected to your home network and the types of internet activities you participate in every day. 

If you’re looking for the right internet speed for your home, check out internet service providers available in your area. 

See Allconnect’s News and Research hubs for more broadband guides and information.

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