What is a 1200 Mbps internet plan - A complete speed guide
1200 Mbps internet, also known as 1.2 Gig, provides the high-capacity bandwidth necessary to power twenty-five or more simultaneous household devices without performance drops. This ultra-fast tier eliminates buffering during heavy data tasks like 4K streaming, online gaming, and large file downloads by expanding the total network ceiling. To fully utilize this speed without hardware bottlenecks, users bringing their own modems or routers must use newer 2.5G Multi-Gigabit Ethernet ports alongside compatible computer hardware configurations. Companies like Astound deliver these asymmetric gigabit speeds via advanced mesh systems like the eero Pro 6E, ensuring reliable coverage across regional cable and fiber networks.
Key Takeaways:
- 1200 Mbps translates to 1.2 Gigabits per second, offering an advanced bandwidth ceiling that resolves network strain caused by smart home device accumulation.
- The 1.2 Gbps speed capacity is distributed across the entire household network, meaning its value lies in raising simultaneous device thresholds rather than boosting single endpoints.
- Upgrading to 1.2 Gig service provides concrete benefits including instantaneous web page loading, low-latency gaming streams, and zero-buffering video loops.
- Utilizing your own modem and router on a 1.2 Gig plan requires hardware equipped with modern 2.5G Multi-Gigabit Ethernet (GE) base ports to prevent hardware bottlenecks.
- Minimum system requirements to hit peak speeds over a wired connection include a dual-core i5 or Ryzen 5 processing chip along with 8GB to 16GB of system RAM.
- Providers deliver the service with varying upload rates by geographic region, matching a 1200 Mbps download speed with 20 Mbps or 50 Mbps upload capabilities.
1200 Mbps internet has many benefits including access to more bandwidth to power multiple devices simultaneously, better overall performance for your household, quicker downloads of your favorite content, faster load times, lower chance of buffering, and a more reliable connection.
Keeping up with the demands of twenty or more connected devices in a single home is no small feat.
With the rise in connected devices and smart everything, there’s an ever-increasing need for more bandwidth.
Slower speeds and outdated technology not only put a noticeable strain on your internet connection, they can also ruin your online experience.
Whether it’s listening to music in your backyard, binging the latest series everyone’s talking about, or blasting the baddies in your favorite game, a less than stellar connection can bring you down.
That’s where supersonic speeds up to 1200 Mbps paired with state of the art technology comes in to save the day.
In this article, we explore what 1200 Mbps internet is, what you can do with it, and why you might want to consider this solution.
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What Is 1200 Mbps?
1.2 Gigabits per second (Gbps) is a 1200 megabits per second (Mbps) Internet connection. 1200 Mbps may be referred to as 1.2G, or 1.2 Gig.
Related content: What is Gig internet speed? (and how fast is it?)
The benefits offered by 1200 Mbps are real and very exciting, especially as technology advances – 1200 Mbps is the next generation internet for today’s home and its insatiable demand for faster downloads, quicker response times, higher quality streaming and more.
While we provide 1200 Mbps speed, many factors that are beyond our control can impact your speeds.
What is 1200 Mbps good for?
From smartphones, to PCs and tablets, to TVs, lights, HVAC controls and video cams – the majority of us use multiple internet connections every single day.
If you have several devices connected or users accessing the Internet at the same time, 1200 Mbps will provide more total bandwidth which will, in turn, result in a better overall experience for everyone in your house.
What you can do with 1200 Mbps internet
You could have everyone in your house streaming Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Pandora, iHeart Radio, Spotify and gaming all at the same time!
Every person in your home can be doing something on every device – all at once.
You’ll be ready for future technology, like a super 8K video service that doesn’t exist yet.
Plus, you can brag to your neighbors that your internet is the strongest and fastest of all!
Benefits of high speed internet include:
- Quick downloads
- Fast page load times
- Lower chance of buffering or dropped connections
- Reliable connection on video conferencing and livestreams
- Better support for multiple users on the same Wi-Fi network
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Is 1200 Mbps worth it?
1200 Mbps internet is worth it if you use a large amount of bandwidth on a regular basis.
It’s also worth it if you share your Wi-Fi with several family members or roommates.
Your household’s activities and number of connected devices dictate what internet speed you need. Activities and devices increase bandwidth usage and therefore require much faster speeds to operate smoothly.
1200 Mbps will provide more total bandwidth for your home, which will, in turn, result in better overall performance and happiness for everyone in your house.
Why would I need that much speed?
For the same reason you’d want the latest gadgets – you want the best experience for you and your family.
Today the average household has 25 devices tied to one Internet connection in the home.
These devices can be smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, printers, home security systems, appliances or game consoles.
Faster internet speeds will offer you an online experience that fits your lifestyle and needs.
Not to mention you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood.
If my device isn’t capable of receiving 1200 Mbps, why do I need it?
1200 Mbps internet is ultra fast and offers huge benefits for your home.
If you have multiple devices connected to the internet or individuals accessing the Internet at the same time, 1200 Mbps service will provide more total bandwidth to go around, which will result in a better overall experience for every device and user in your house.
1200 Mbps speed enables you to run all your devices at the same time and have faster downloads, quicker response times, higher quality streaming, better video viewing and more.
Find your speed
What speed do you need?
Maybe you just need the essentials—or maybe you need to unleash the ultimate internet speed. Explore your options to get the best experience for every device in your home.
How much speed do I really need?
Ask yourself: do you want to curl up on the couch and watch a show you recorded on your TiVo earlier in the week…while someone else in your house is on a computer catching up on the day’s events…and another is checking out a trailer for the next superhero movie then jumps to the latest TikTok craze…and somebody else is gaming…?
And on top of all that, you’re simultaneously running a software app update on your Tablet and smartphone – and all of you are doing these things faster than ever before.
With 1200 Mbps you can accomplish all this without giving it a second thought – it’s fast, it’s awesome.
Your life doesn’t have to come to a halt while waiting for that frustrating spiraling circle or hourglass to disappear or before being forced to shut everything down and start it back up.
You just get high-quality, fast, reliable streaming – for everyone, on all your devices.
How do I get 1200 Mbps with Astound?
1200 Mbps is only available to new customers at this time. Astound will provide rental equipment capable of delivering the 1200 Mbps speeds.
Current customers: you can visit astound.com/1200 and enter your information to get on our VIP list. We will contact you when 1.2 Gig speed is available in your area.
Related article: Astound Introduces 1.2 Gigabit Internet
Where is 1200 Mbps offered?
1200 Mbps service is available to residential and small business customers in the following areas:
- Boston, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, DC Metro – 1200 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload
- Texas – 1200 Mbps download / 50 Mbps upload
- Washington, Oregon, California – 1200 Mbps download / 50 Mbps upload
Not available in all areas. However, we will continue to work to make higher speeds available over time in areas where it’s not currently available.
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Can I bring my own modem and router?
Yes you can bring your own modem and router with 1200 Mbps. Please refer to the recommended guidelines for equipment needed for speed tiers above 1000 Mbps.
5GE (Multi-Gig Ethernet) ports are newer types of Ethernet ports used on some modems and routers.
2.5GE ports support higher connection speeds than the Gigabit Ethernet ports previously used on most devices.
Equipment specifications and configuration
These specifications/configurations are known to work.
If you do not have these, you may not get the most from your 1200 Mbps plan:
| OS | Windows 10 | Mac OSX 10.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Dual Core i5 | AMD Ryzen 5 |
| RAM | 8GB (16GB recommended) | 8GB (16GB recommended) |
| Hard Drive | 64GB | 64GB |
| NIC (1.2G) | 2.5G Base T | 2.5G Base T |
|
OS
Processor |
Windows 10
Intel Dual Core i5 |
Mac OSX 10.8
AMD Ryzen 5 |
|
OS
RAM |
Windows 10
8GB (16GB recommended) |
Mac OSX 10.8
8GB (16GB recommended) |
|
OS
Hard Drive |
Windows 10
64GB |
Mac OSX 10.8
64GB |
|
OS
NIC (1.2G) |
Windows 10
2.5G Base T |
Mac OSX 10.8
2.5G Base T |
Whole home WiFi
Astound’s enhanced Whole Home WiFi system, powered by eero, blankets your home in fast, reliable WiFi.
The mesh network enables greater internet connection and reliability throughout your entire home.
The new eero Pro6E is now available and capable of delivering speeds up to 1200 Mbps.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 1200 Mbps considered Gigabit internet?
Yes. 1200 Mbps equals 1.2 Gbps, or 1.2 Gig. It is a Gigabit+ speed tier designed to provide more bandwidth for homes with many users, devices and data-heavy activities.
How many devices can 1200 Mbps internet support?
A 1200 Mbps connection can support 25 or more connected devices in many households, depending on how heavily each device uses the network. Streaming, gaming, video calls and smart home devices can all run simultaneously with less risk of congestion.
Is 1200 Mbps good for gaming?
Yes. 1200 Mbps provides more than enough bandwidth for online gaming, game downloads and live gameplay streaming. Gaming performance also depends on latency, router quality and whether you use WiFi or a wired Ethernet connection.
Can 1200 Mbps handle multiple 4K streams at once?
Yes. A 1.2 Gig connection provides enough bandwidth for multiple users to stream 4K content at the same time while other household members browse, game, work remotely or use smart devices.
Do I need a special router for 1200 Mbps internet?
Yes, if you want to take full advantage of the speed. Use a modern router with multi-Gig capability, including a 2.5 Gig Ethernet port and support for newer WiFi standards such as WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E.
Why might I not see the full 1200 Mbps on one device?
Your internet speed is shared across the household, and individual devices may be limited by their WiFi standard, network adapter, processor or Ethernet port. A device with only a 1 Gig Ethernet port, for example, cannot receive the full 1.2 Gbps over that connection.
What Ethernet port do I need for 1200 Mbps?
A 2.5G Base-T or faster multi-Gig Ethernet port is recommended. Traditional 1 Gig Ethernet ports can create a bottleneck and prevent a wired device from reaching speeds above roughly 1 Gbps.
Is 1200 Mbps good for working from home?
Yes. It can comfortably support multiple video conferences, cloud applications, large file transfers, VPN connections and other remote-work activities at the same time, even in households with several users online.
Is 1200 Mbps worth it for a small household?
It depends on usage. A small household that mainly browses and streams casually may not need 1.2 Gig, but it can be worthwhile for heavy gaming, frequent large downloads, multiple 4K streams, smart home devices or users who want additional bandwidth for future needs.
Does mesh WiFi help with a 1200 Mbps internet plan?
Yes. A mesh WiFi system can distribute your connection more effectively throughout larger homes and reduce dead zones. Systems such as eero Pro 6E can help extend reliable high-speed coverage, although actual device speeds still depend on hardware, distance and interference.
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