BROADBANDblogs

...or Speeding on the Internet !

How much download speed do you really need from your Broadband High Speed Internet Providers? Take for example, Verizon FiOS ( Broadband Internet over Fiber Optic Cable); it delivers 30 Mbps downstream speeds. But, does the average residential or small business customer really need the speed?

The short answer: For most customers, not yet.

And it is not only over fiber that the insane speeds are available. Check out what is available over Cable...

16 Mbps on Comcast High Speed Cable Internet

7 Mbps on Time Warner High Speed Internet

16 Mbps on Comcast High Speed Cable Internet


...just to name a few.

And DSL, well, as usual, DSL speeds are lagging behind, but the speeds here are increasing, and quite impressive, also. Verizon offers 768 Kbps for $14.95, while AT&T has a 1.5 Mbps offer for just $12.99 per month.

So, how much speed does the average Broadband custormer need? A recent article on CNET gave us the following examples of how much bandwidth is needed for downloading various files.

A good quality video stream uses between 500 Kbps and 600 Kbps, and streaming audio, even less. Broadband phone ( VoIP ) calling only uses about 56 Kbps or less of bandwidth. And, downloading music would only take 10 to 12 seconds longer using a 768 Kbps connection compared to using a 6 Mbps connection.

For most applications today, Verizons 768 Kbps is sufficient. Some exceptions would be small businesses and residences that are using serveral internet connections at once, Gamers, and HDTV. It is clear that there are more bandwidth intensive applications coming every year, and eventually, we will all feel the need for more speed. Today, however, it seems that 1.5 Mbps for $12.99 per month is where most consumers should shop.

Related Article: Comcast Redefines "High Speed" Internet Access