High-speed internet services offer the convenience you want when you're working, shopping, binge-watching your new favorite show, or doing online research. With so many packages available on the market, it can be hard to know what speed your unique household needs to enjoy fast, efficient services. Here's a closer look at how internet speed works and how to determine what's the right fit for you.

What Does Mbps Mean? 

When researching packages, you'll come across the term Mbps, which stands for megabits per second. This measurement describes how many bits, or units of digital data, are transferred per second. Speeds for residential services typically range from 10 to 1,000 Mbps, with the latter being an incredibly fast option. 

This number often gets confused with bandwidth. However, bandwidth refers to the amount of data the internet connection can accommodate at one time, not its speed. 

How Do Upload & Download Speeds Differ?

Most internet service plans focus on download over upload speeds since home users generally don't require much from the latter unless they’re sending large files to friends, family members, or co-workers. Download speed refers to the speed at which the connection acquires desired data from the internet, such as photos from social media and streaming content. 

Upload speed concerns how fast the connection sends data from your laptop, smartphone, or other connected devices to the web, such as uploading a document to a business email address or posting your latest desktop images to your website. 

What Do You Use the Internet For? 

Think about what you and your family use the web for before making a final high-speed internet decision. For example, if you're the only person in your house who uses a computer, and you need it for email and web browsing exclusively, internet speed between 1 and 5 Mbps will be adequate. 

Conversely, if you and your family routinely stream videos and live TV in HD, at least 8 Mbps per device is recommended. Also, consider factors such as working from home, video call frequency, and gaming that require up to 10, 25, and 35 Mbps, respectively. Use the number of connected devices in your home over the number of residents to help you make a final decision, as more devices require more bandwidth as well as increased speed. 

Discuss your high-speed internet needs with Horizon, the internet service provider serving residents and business owners throughout Chillicothe, OH, and the surrounding communities. The telecommunications company has provided unmatched services for over 125 years and continues to offer reliable, affordable solutions that are always in step with the latest technology. Call (740) 772-8200 today to get started or learn more about high-speed internet services online. Get the latest tips and updates on Facebook.