Do I Need 5 Gig Internet? (& What Is It Good For?)

5 gig internet is an internet connection that is capable of transferring 5000 megabits per second. A single gigabit contains 1 million bits, meaning 5 gig internet transfers data at 5000 million bits per second. 5 gig internet is also called “5000 Mbps internet” or “5 Gbps internet”.

A 5 gig internet connection is one of the fastest publicly accessible internet services. However, it is only available in select areas and is best for specific customer use cases. For example, if you have a large home with many users and devices, and all those users access high-bandwidth platforms or activities, you might benefit from a 5 gig internet connection.

In practice, a 5 gig internet connection will allow you to:

• Connect more than forty users and devices performing high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
• Access cloud services and learning platforms across multiple devices and users.
• Create a home network of smart devices or home automations.
• Stream HD, 4K or 8K content across multiple devices or users.
• Play MMORPG games, or other VR or AR games on console, mobile and PC.
• Download large files with more bandwidth than 1 gig or 2 gig internet.
• Future-proof your current internet network.

Most people consider download speeds when choosing internet plans, but upload speeds are crucial for tasks like large file uploads, video conferencing and online gaming. Keep in mind that internet speeds also vary based on your network traffic, device performance and WiFi speeds.

While the names may seem similar, 5G and 5 gig are two different technologies. Let’s break them down below.

“5G” is an abbreviation for “fifth generation” and refers to a generation of wireless technology. Other generations include 3G, 4G LTE and so on. 5G uses large antennas to broadcast wireless signals to receivers that internet users place in their home. These signals are then transmitted to routers and customers receive wireless WiFi. In most cases, this internet is referred to as “5G home internet”.

As mentioned above, “5 Gig” is short for “5 gigabits per second.” This term refers to the actual bandwidth available for your home network. Unlike 5G, 5 gig internet is fed through a fiber connection into either your service area or direct to your home.

5 gig internet is fast enough for most households with twenty to forty simultaneous users and their devices. However, whether or not the speed is fast enough for your home will depend on the bandwidth consumed by each user and their devices.

Here’s a breakdown of what a 5 gig internet connection can handle:

If you are determining if 5 gig is the right internet speed for your apartment, consider the number of people, devices and internet habits.

In general, a 5 gig internet connection should be enough bandwidth for a large apartment. Just make sure to document your users, devices and online habits in order to get an estimated idea of how much bandwidth you might need.

If you’re in the process of moving, find out how to set up internet and WiFi in a new apartment.

A 5 gig connection can host multiple users and devices, including cameras, HVAC systems, smart lights and other WiFi-enabled tech. However, regardless of your speed tier, a sudden surge in users, devices or integrated tech could slow your internet speed.

For many users, a 5 gig internet connection can act as a fail-safe system to make sure you don’t exceed your bandwidth. However, if you start reaching your bandwidth limits, check with your ISP about alternate plans.

In addition, large houses may contain dead zones with poor internet coverage, such as hallways, balconies or stairways. If you’re worried about dead zones, consider using a mesh WiFi system to expand coverage.

Astound’s Whole Home WiFi expands WiFi coverage, reduces signal interference and optimizes the performance of your wireless devices. Moreover, mesh WiFi routers are flexible, modular and moveable. Want more coverage throughout your home? Just place an eero where you want a connection.

Learn more: How to set up your internet in a new home

Determining the worth of 5 gig internet depends on your personal preferences, the number of users and devices in your home, as well as your online activities.

Average households have more than 25 devices tied to one single network in their home. These devices can be smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, printers, home security systems, appliances or game consoles.

If each of those devices are using at least 75 Mbps, for example, you may use as much as 1875 Mbps (or 1.75 Gbps). Faster internet speeds will give a better, richer online experience that fits your lifestyle and needs, as well as allow you to increase your device or user load without needing to upgrade your plan.

You might upgrade to a faster internet speed, like 5 gig internet, if you experience any of these issues:

• Network congestion
• An increase of users in your household
• An increase of devices in your household
• Frequent buffering when streaming
• Long loading times when streaming
• Latency or lag while gaming online
• Slow uploads or downloads
• Internet connectivity issues
• Poor video or audio call quality
• Failure of smart or IoT devices

Make sure to perform regular speed tests to understand the speed your ISP is providing, and optimize your WiFi. You’ll improve your network’s performance, minimize channel interference and rebalance your device load.

If your devices are upgraded to the latest version and are 5 gig speed enabled, then your devices will be able to receive 5 gig internet.

You won’t be able to access the full benefits of your 5 gig internet connection if you have older devices with outdated hardware or network interface cards.

Trying to determine your internet speed connection needs? Ask yourself the following questions:

1. 1. How many people in my household will simultaneously access the internet?
      Consider how many people will be using the internet. Each user adds to the demand for bandwidth.
   2. What are the internet 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. If you will be bringing more than 5 – 10 devices, consider an internet speed higher than 300 Mbps.
   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 other work-related tasks.
   5. Will anyone stream HD or 4K videos?
      A faster internet connection is essential for bufferless playback if you frequently stream high-quality videos.
   6. Is gaming a priority for anyone?
      Gamers may require faster speeds or improved hardware for increased performance. If you’re a heavy gamer, you’ll want to start with a speed like 1 gig for an even richer gaming experience.
   7. Does the house have smart home devices?
      IoT devices, like smart thermostats or security systems, will impact your accessible bandwidth.
   8. 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.
   9. Am I satisfied with my current internet speeds?
      Identify any pain points or limitations you may have.
   10. 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?
   11. Which internet plans are available?
       Check with local internet service providers to learn more about plans and speeds near you. Ensure you balance performance, cost and your household’s needs to choose the best plan.

What equipment do you need to access 5 gig internet? It’s important to stay connected, but the wrong router or modem will prevent you from making the most out of your 5 gig internet speed. Let’s take a look at some of the 5 gig internet requirements below.

5 gig internet is only available with fiber, which requires an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). An ONT is a device that translates the fiber light signal into an electrical signal that can communicate with your in-home Wi-Fi device. It’s typically mounted against a wall or in an out-of-the-way area, with an Ethernet cable connecting it to your in-home Wi-Fi router. With an ONT you do not need a separate modem to communicate with your internet service provider (ISP).

A WiFi 7 capable router is necessary to receive 5 gig internet speeds. WiFi 6 and WiFi 6e do not support 5 gig.

Check to see if 5 gig service is available in your area.

Depending on availability in your service area, a 5 gig connection is ideal for anyone with multiple devices and users who want to future-proof their network. It’s fast, reliable and cost-effective, providing sufficient speed for multiple users and devices to access high-bandwidth activities simultaneously. With 5 gig internet, you’ll be able to:

• Browse the internet on multiple devices with concurrent users.
• Stream 4K and 8K videos across multiple devices at the same time.
• Broadcast HD and 4K video content or gameplay to online audiences.
• Access VR and AR experiences across many users and platforms.
• Play massive online multiplayer games in your household.
• Attend live classes or access video learning platforms.
• Host in-person and online events with multiple users.
• Work from home and participate in video conference calls.
• Create a network of in-house smart devices and IoT devices.

If you’re worried about maintaining fast speeds on-the-go, switch to Astound Mobile and see what you can save. Combine mobile service with Astound’s ultra-fast 5 gig internet for maximum value.