1 Gig internet speed is the ultimate choice for digital enthusiasts who want to enjoy everything the internet has to offer. But do you need 1 Gig internet speed for your home or business? That depends on your online activities, the number of devices you have, and the type of internet connection you use.
Not everyone needs 1 Gig internet speed. You may be fine with a lower-speed plan if you use the internet for basic tasks, such as browsing, emailing, and social media.
However, if you have a lot of devices, such as smart TVs, laptops, tablets, phones, gaming consoles, and smart home devices, you may benefit from 1,000 Mbps internet speed. The purpose of this article is to help you understand how fast 1 Gig internet speed is, which internet service providers (ISPs) offer this speed, and whether it is suitable for your home or business.
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How Fast is 1 Gig Internet Speed?
Gigabit Internet (1 Gig) is an internet speed that can achieve data transfer rates of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps). Currently, 1000 Mbps internet is delivered through cable and fiber-optic connections. With 1 Gig internet speed, you can download a 10 GB file, such as a high-quality movie or a large software update, in just 10 seconds. That is about 5 times faster than the average internet speed in America, which is only 213 Mbps.
1,000 Mbps Internet speed can also make your home or business ready for new technologies and applications that may demand more bandwidth. But even if you have access to 1 Gig internet, you may not be able to use it fully if your devices, routers, and cables are not compatible with it. Therefore, before signing up for 1 Gig internet speed, check the requirements of this service in your area.
1 Gbps Internet Plans
No doubt you have seen ISP ads for 1 Gbps Internet plans promising fast speeds and endless possibilities. But they are not always worth the hype. Depending on your internet needs and budget, you may be better off with a mid-tier speed plan that delivers a reliable connection at affordable monthly rates.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommends a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speed for a broadband service. This is enough for most online activities, such as web surfing, emailing, and social media browsing. If you need more speed for video conferencing, online gaming, or 4K streaming, you may want to upgrade to a higher-speed plan, but not necessarily 1 Gbps.
Not to mention, 1 Gbps internet is not available everywhere. You need to check if your area has the infrastructure and the ISPs that offer this speed. Some of the best 1 Gbps internet plans in 2024 are offered by Spectrum, AT&T, Frontier, Verizon and EarthLink. You can compare their features, benefits, and costs below:
| Provider | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Price |
| Spectrum | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $89.99/mo. |
| AT&T | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | $80.00/mo. |
| Verizon | 940 Mbps | 880 Mbps | $89.99/mo. |
| Frontier | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | $69.99/mo. |
| EarthLink | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | $89.95/mo. |
Spectrum Internet Gig
| Features | Spectrum 1 Gig Internet |
| Type of Internet | Hybrid fiber-coaxial cable |
| Promo Price | $89.99/mo. |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Contract | Not required |
| Availability | 41 states of the USA |
| Call Spectrum | |
Spectrum Internet Gig is the most expensive and fastest internet plan from Spectrum, but it uses coaxial cables that may affect your speed. You can get up to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) on the downstream and up to 35 Mbps on the upstream with this plan.
For the first 12 months, you pay $89.99 per month for Spectrum Internet Gig. After that, the price goes up to $124.99 per month. This is more than double the average cost of broadband internet in the U.S. But you also get unlimited data, a free modem, free antivirus software, and access to 530,000 Spectrum’s Wi-Fi hotspots across the country.
Not everyone can get the 1 Gig internet plan by Spectrum. Only 42.8% of the U.S. population can access 1 Gbps internet speed. The availability depends on your state, city, and zip code. You can use the Spectrum coverage map and enter your address to see if Spectrum Internet Gig is available in your area.
1 Gig Internet speed by Spectrum is a good choice for households or businesses that need very fast internet and are ready to pay more for it. But you may also want to check out other Spectrum Internet plans, such as Spectrum Internet (300 Mbps) or Spectrum Internet Ultra (500 Mbps). They may be enough for your needs and cheaper than the premium gigabit service.
AT&T Fiber 1 Gig
| Features | AT&T Fiber 1 Gig Internet |
| Type of Internet | Fiber-optic Internet |
| Price | $80.00/mo. |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Contract | Not required |
| Availability | 22 states of the USA |
| Call AT&T | |
AT&T 1 Gig Fiber internet plan delivers the fastest and most consistent internet speed with 100% fiber-optic technology. Unlike cable or DSL internet, fiber internet does not have signal interference, network congestion, or speed degradation. You can enjoy the same high-speed performance at any time of the day. AT&T Internet is widely available in 22 states and covers almost 99% of its service area.
AT&T Fiber 1 Gig is cheaper than Spectrum’s 1 Gig internet plan. It costs $80 per month and the monthly fee stays the same until rates are adjusted for inflation. You also don’t have to sign a contract and get unlimited data. The price of AT&T’s 1,000 Mbps internet plan includes the equipment fee.
You can get a free self-installation kit or pay $99 for an expert installation when you sign up for their 1 Gig internet plan. You also get $150 credit on a Visa Reward Card for choosing the gigabit internet service.
AT&T’s 1 Gig internet speed is great for households or businesses that want the fastest and most reliable internet speed at a reasonable price.
Verizon Fios 1 Gig
| Features | Verizon Fios 1 Gig Internet |
| Type of Internet | Fiber-optic Internet |
| Bundled Price | $64.99/mo. |
| Standalone Price | $89.99/mo. |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Contract | Not required |
| Availability | 9 states of the USA |
Verizon Fios 1 Gig is the best value plan among its four fiber plans. You can get up to 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload speed. The starting price of Verizon’s 1,000 Mbps Internet plan is $64.99/mo if you bundle it with an eligible 5G mobile phone plan. Otherwise, it costs $89.99 per month as a standalone plan. You also get unlimited data and a price lock guarantee for four years. You do not have to sign a contract or pay an early termination fee.
Verizon Fios mainly serves urban and suburban areas in the Northeast. It covers 38.2 million people and is available in 9 states, with the most coverage in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
With 1,000 Mbps internet speed, you can get a Fios router that supports gigabit speeds and a Wi-Fi extender that boosts your signal throughout your home. This way, you can have fast and consistent Wi-Fi coverage in every room. You can also choose one of these extras when you sign up for a Fios 1 Gig plan: an Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), a $200 Amazon Gift Card, or an Xbox Series S.
You may have to pay $99 for the installation and activation, but you can get it waived if you self-install the equipment and sign up for service online. Verizon Fios’ 1,000 Mbps internet speed is perfect for a smart home with moderate to heavy internet usage.
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig
| Features | Frontier 1 Gig Internet |
| Type of Internet | Fiber-optic Internet |
| Promo Price | $59.99/mo. |
| Regular Price | Up to $89.99/mo. |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Contract | Not required |
| Availability | 25 states of the USA |
| Call Frontier | |
The starting price of Frontier Fiber 1 Gig is $69.99 per month and $59.99 with AutoPay. The one gig internet speed is delivered over a fiber-optic cable and hence are symmetrical. It is available in 25 states, mostly in the southeast, southwest, and midwest regions. That is why it is one of the best rural ISPs. All Frontier Fiber internet plans have unlimited data and usually don’t require a contract.
You can save more money by choosing a free self-installation kit instead of paying $50 for expert installation. But you will still have to pay a service activation fee of around $85. You can get an Amazon eero Wi-Fi Pro 6 router that supports gigabit speeds and a Wi-Fi extender that boosts the internet signal across the home. You can also ask a technician to install your Frontier Fiber 1 Gig service for free and set up your equipment for optimal performance.
EarthLink 1000 Mbps
| Features | EarthLink 1 Gig Internet |
| Type of Internet | Fiber-optic Internet |
| Price | $89.95/mo. |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Contract | Required |
| Availability | 30 states of the USA |
| Call EarthLink | |
The price of EarthLink 1,000 Mbps is $89.99 per month as a standalone plan. You also get unlimited data and a fixed monthly price for 12 months. However, an annual contract is applicable on all the EarthLink Fiber Internet plans. EarthLink service is available in 48 states, but their fiber network only covers 30 states. You can check the availability of this plan in your area by entering your zip code on the EarthLink coverage map.
You will have to pay $79.95 for professional installation and up to $15 per month for the modem-router rental if you choose EarthLink 1 Gig internet. You can also bundle it with other services for more savings.
EarthLink’s 1,000 Mbps internet speed is a good option for people who need fast and reliable internet speed for data-heavy activities.
Best 1000 Mbps Internet Plan
You might be wondering which 1 Gig Internet plan is the best for you. While analyzing the five popular options, we considered factors like availability, price, reliability, and extra benefits.
The result? AT&T Fiber is our top pick because of its exceptional value. It has the lowest price, the widest coverage, the most reliable performance, the highest customer satisfaction score, and exciting perks. AT&T’s one-gig internet speed is available in 22 states across the U.S. and delivers symmetrical upload and download speeds. Their 1 Gbps internet plan also has the lowest latency of 8 milliseconds, allowing lag-free online gaming and glitch-free ultra-HD streaming.
Additionally, the AT&T 1000 Mbps internet plan comes with some perks, such as free equipment, standard pricing, early termination fee coverage, bundle discounts, and a $150 reward card.
Do You Really Need 1 Gbps Internet Speed?
Gigabit internet is not essential for most online activities. For a household of three to seven people, internet speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 500 Mbps are sufficient and more affordable than gigabit internet. If you are paying for a one-gig internet speed but only need 400 Mbps, then you are overpaying.
However, one gig internet speed might be worth it if you fall into one of these categories: You run a home-based business, work with video content creation, or are a database developer. In these cases, you might need gigabit or faster speeds, especially on the upload side. You should look for symmetrical speeds, which are usually offered by fiber networks.
Another group of people who might benefit from gigabit internet speed are avid gamers who frequently test out and play video games for monetary benefits. These games often require large, multi-gigabyte downloads and updates to run without glitches.
If you live in an area where gigabit internet is not available or affordable, you don’t have to worry too much. As long as you have a reliable and consistent connection, you can still enjoy most things you want to do online.
To sum up, 1,000 Mbps internet speed is not a necessity for most people. Unless you have a specific need for ultra-fast speeds, you can save money and hassle by choosing a more reasonable internet plan that matches your online habits and preferences.
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