Do I need 100 Mbps internet? (and what is it good for?)

Knowing the differences between speeds is essential if you’re considering internet plans. In this article, we’ll outline what 100 Mbps is and whether or not it will be fast enough for your household.

100 Mbps is an internet connection that transfers 100 megabits of data per second. This is an adequate speed if you only have one or two users with a few devices and are looking for the most affordable internet speed possible.

With a 100 Mbps connection, one or two users will be able to:

• Browse the internet.
• Stream videos.
• Play some online games.
• Download files.
• Participate in video conferences or virtual meetings.
• Work and learn remotely.

Your actual speed experience depends on the number of users and devices connected, the type of activities, any possible network congestion and the type of WiFi connection.

Most online games demand internet speeds ranging from 5 Mbps to 20 Mbps. With 100 Mbps, users can play some multiplayer games across devices.

A 100 Mbps connection will offer:

• Gaming sessions on one or two devices.
• Downloads of game files and updates.

Other factors influencing gaming performance include internet bandwidth, network congestion and distance from game servers.

Consider higher speed plans if you’re a competitive player or stream 4K and 8K gaming content to audiences. Higher speeds provide more bandwidth, improving the online experience for you and your audience.

You’ll also want to consider a higher speed plan if you have more than one person in your household playing simultaneously.

If you already have a high-speed connection but want to get the most out of your internet, look into our dedicated gaming router to optimize your internet speeds.

A 100 Mbps speed will work for streaming HD and 4K content. Streaming platforms like Netflix require 5 Mbps for HD videos and 15 Mbps for 4K videos.

A 100 Mbps internet connection will allow you and another person in your home to stream:

• HD and 4K video content.
• High-quality audio from music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
• Social media content.
• Gaming content from platforms like Twitch or YouTube.

Keep in mind that the quality of your streams will depend on the number of people and devices connected to your home network. Consider higher tiers if you’re concerned about your internet bandwidth.

Unsure about the speed your household needs? Find your speed here.

100 Mbps is adequate for video conferencing, file transfers and accessing cloud services.

With 100 Mbps at home, one or two users will be able to:

• • Connect to video calls and virtual meetings via Zoom, Teams, or Slack.
  • Manage email and access the internet across multiple devices.
  • Download multimedia content from cloud-based services.
  • Access cloud-based applications, like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
  • Juggle online tasks like file downloading or streaming across multiple devices.

With a 100 Mbps connection, however, multiple users and devices can strain your speeds. If you’re unsure if 100 Mbps is right for you, consider our 300 Mbps, 600 Mbps, or 1500 Mbps higher speed plans.

100 Mbps can facilitate remote learning activities for one or two students in your household. Accessing online learning platforms like Canvas requires a minimum speed of 512 kbps.
 
With 100 Mbps, a couple of students in your home can:

• Participate in real-time lectures and online discussions.
• Engage in multiple online learning activities.
• Access and download learning materials.
• Upload and submit text- or multimedia-based assignments.
• Access interactive learning features, like online labs.

 
Remember that other users working from home or engaging in online activities may stress your bandwidth, compromising your internet quality. Check out our higher-speed plans to accommodate your requirements.

100 Mbps is enough to host a small event with a small number of attendees, like sports-watching parties, webinars or virtual workshops.
 
With a 100 Mbps connection for small events, you’ll be able to:

• Stream virtual event platforms like Zoom, Hopin or Twitch.
• Stream on sports or other VOD apps like NBA TV, NFL TV or MLB TV.

 
When deciding to host an in-person or online event, determine how many concurrent users, platforms and types of events you might host using your home network.
 
Are you concerned about bandwidth for your online or in-person events? Look into higher-speed internet options from your ISP.

Smart and IoT devices like cameras, voice assistants, thermostats and locks require minimum speeds of 25 Mbps. 100 Mbps is sufficient for a few smart and IoT devices in a household.
 
If you stay within your speed limits, your smart and IoT devices will:

• Integrate to create a smart environment within the home.
• Execute commands and receive real-time updates.

 
Smart devices constantly access your internet bandwidth because they are always on. If you find your smart devices and personal devices straining your bandwidth, look into a higher speed to keep your devices online.

In most cases, apartments are smaller, with fewer occupants and fewer personal or smart devices.
 
A 100 Mbps connection will cover the needs of a one or two person household in an apartment as long as the activities performed are not bandwidth-intensive.

However, consider a higher-speed package if you are a competitive online gamer, stream 8K content, or if there is a surge in users and devices in your apartment.
 
Learn more: How to set up your internet and WiFi in a new apartment.
 

Whether a 100 Mbps connection is enough for a large home depends on the number of people, devices connected and internet habits.

Larger homes typically house more people with personal and smart home devices. An increase in users or devices, such as guests or visitors, will strain your internet speed and bandwidth.

We recommend speeds of no less than 300 Mbps for a large home.

Moreover, larger homes also require broader internet coverage. Large houses may contain dead zones with poor internet coverage.
 
Consider introducing mesh WiFi routers into your home. They increase WiFi coverage and are flexible, modular and moveable. You simply place them in the area you want your WiFi to extend to.
 
Learn more: How to set up your internet in a new home
 

A 100 Mbps broadband connection is a traditional fiber or cable-wired connection that offers comprehensive coverage and reliability.

Wired connections like fiber provide consistent performance because they are less vulnerable to signal interference than wireless connections.
 
The cost and value of 100 Mbps can vary depending on your ISP, but most services usually bundle internet, mobile plans and TV.
 
5G home internet is a wireless service that uses 5G technology. 5G signals are airwaves, which introduce latency. As such, data transmission rates are slower than wired connections.

Latency affects all internet activities, like online gaming, streaming and video calling.

5G is also affected by factors such as:

• Long distances between devices and 5G cell towers.
• Physical obstacles between devices and cell towers.
• User congestion.
• Unfavorable weather events.
• Limitations in rural areas.

 
In addition, while wired connection infrastructure exists throughout most of the country, 5G service zones are generally limited to areas where the infrastructure has been built—mainly urban cities.

100 Mbps is a fast, reliable broadband connection sufficient for a household with one or two individuals accessing the internet simultaneously. It may be an adequate choice if your biggest focus is on budget.
 
With a 100 Mbps connection, you will be able to:

• Browse the internet across a few devices.
• Stream HD and 4K videos.
• Play some online games.
• Download and upload files to cloud-based services.
• Participate in video conferences or virtual meetings.
• Participate in remote learning with multiple users.
• Upload content to social media.
• Host in-person or virtual events for a small group.
• Improve home automation with a few connected smart devices.

However, whether or not your household will find value in 100 Mbps depends on the number of connected users, devices and your online activities.

If an increase in the number of users and appliances in your household causes a disruption in your service, consider switching to higher-speed tiers to accommodate your needs.
 

It may be time to upgrade to a faster internet speed if you experience any of these issues:

• Network congestion.
• An increase in users in your household.
• An increase in devices in your home.
• Delayed response times while gaming online.
• Slow upload or download speeds.
• Video connectivity issues when streaming.
• Poor video or audio call quality.

 
Before deciding to switch plans, evaluate your internet requirements. You can also run routine speed tests to see if your provider delivers their advertised speeds.

Consider optimizing your WiFi to get the fastest speeds possible. By optimizing your WiFi, you will increase your network’s performance, reduce channel interference and balance your device load.
 

Most modern devices that meet the latest WiFi standards can handle 100 Mbps. Older devices and outdated software may prevent you from connecting to a 100 Mbps internet connection.

Consider the following questions about your usage patterns to assess your internet connection speed requirements:

• 1. How many people in my household will use the internet simultaneously? Consider how many people will be using the internet. Each user adds to the demand for bandwidth.
  2. What are the access needs for my household? Identify the primary online activities people in your home typically perform, such as streaming, gaming, video conferencing or browsing.
  3. Which devices will be connected? Determine the number and types of devices used, like smartphones, laptops, IoT devices and gaming consoles.
  4. Will anyone be working remotely or learning online? If anyone in your household works from home or takes classes online, consider the bandwidth required for video conferencing, file sharing and any other work-related tasks.
  5. Will anyone stream HD or 4K videos? A faster internet connection is essential for playback of high-quality videos.
  6. Is gaming a priority for anyone? Gamers may require faster speeds.
  7. Am I going to be hosting events? Determine the number of users, devices, type of event and platforms needed to host events before deciding on the speeds you need.
  8. Does the house have smart home devices? IoT devices, like smart thermostats or security systems, will impact your accessible bandwidth.
  9. Are large files frequently downloaded or uploaded? Consider the need for faster download and upload speeds if you work with large files or use cloud services.
  10. Am I currently satisfied with my internet speeds? Identify any pain points or limitations you may have.
  11. What are my future internet needs? Do you anticipate potential changes in your internet use? Will you be adding more devices or engaging in more data-intensive activities?
  12. What current internet plans are available to me? Check with local internet service providers to see what plans and speeds are available near you.
  13. How important is speed consistency? If you need consistently high internet speeds, consider fiber-optic connections that provide more stable internet speeds than other types.
  14. What type of internet connections are available to me? Different internet connections, such as fiber, cable, DSL, satellite and 5G internet, play a huge part in the speeds you can get. Check with local ISPs to see what connections they provide and compare speeds provided.

Ensure that you balance performance, cost and your household’s needs to choose the best plan.

You’ll need the following equipment to optimize your 100 Mbps fiber connection:

• Fiber or DOCSIS compatible modem: A fiber or DOCSIS modem is required to convert optical signals from a fiber/COAX line into electrical signals so your router and devices can understand each other. Astound’s installation process includes a modem. But you can supply your own modem if it meets our compatibility requirements.
• Router: A router supporting high-speed connections is necessary to distribute the internet signal to your wired and wireless devices. You want to look for a router supporting Ethernet ports and modern WiFi standards like 802.11ac or 802.11ax (WiFi 6).

Check for internet service availability in your area.

100 Mbps is a reliable internet speed for one or two users streaming HD and 4K videos, gaming online and transferring files.

Surges in users and devices, however, may affect your speeds.

If you are a serious online gamer or live in a household with many people and multiple devices, higher speeds like 300 Mbps, a fast 600 Mbps connection, or even ultrafast gig speeds like 1200 Mbps or 1500 Mbps might be necessary to keep your household connected.