Is 1200 Mbps fast internet? An in-depth look
By Terry Williams
Hey there! As a fellow tech enthusiast, you‘re probably interested in learning more about modern internet speeds. Specifically, you may be wondering: is 1200 megabits per second considered fast internet today?
It‘s a great question. As networks have improved over the years, our definition of "fast internet" has changed dramatically. I‘ll provide some detailed analysis on Mbps metrics, real-world use cases for gigabit internet, equipment needed to take advantage of 1200 Mbps, and more. Let‘s dive in!
Understanding Mbps – Megabits per second
When it comes to internet speeds, Mbps (Megabits per second) is a critical metric to understand. It measures the maximum data transfer rate of an internet connection.
- 1 Megabit = 1,000,000 bits
- Mbps = Megabits downloaded or uploaded each second
So an internet plan with a "1200 Mbps" speed can deliver up to 1200 Megabits (or 150 Megabytes) of data per second.
But what does this mean in practical use? Here are some examples converting Mbps to actual download times:
| File Size | Time to Download at 100 Mbps | Time to Download at 1200 Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| 10GB movie | 13 minutes | 1 minute |
| 5GB game | 6.5 minutes | 30 seconds |
| 1GB software | 1.3 minutes | 5 seconds |
As you can see, a gigabit 1200 Mbps connection can download files 10x faster compared to a standard 100 Mbps broadband connection.
This bandwidth headroom is the key advantage of plans advertising crazy fast speeds. But do you really need 1200 Mbps compared to something like 100 Mbps? Let‘s explore some different use cases.
When is a 1200 Mbps internet speed beneficial?
For perspective, the average internet speed in the US is around 100 Mbps. Here are some situations where upgrading to a gigabit 1200 Mbps connection could be worthwhile:
You have many bandwidth-intensive users
A household with 3 kids streaming 4K YouTube, 2 parents on video calls, and a smart home ecosystem with 50+ devices – in this situation, you need a robust connection to prevent congestion and buffering as everyone shares the bandwidth.
With an advanced AC3200 tri-band router, you can allocate different devices across the three 1200 Mbps channels for smoother performance even with 100+ clients.
You frequently download huge files
As a digital artist, I routinely transfer ginormous art assets and video files to collaborate with clients remotely. My old 100 Mbps connection just couldn‘t hack it – transfers would take 30-60 minutes.
Now on my gigabit fiber plan, 50 GB video projects download in under 5 minutes! The massive bandwidth headroom is a lifesaver for manipulating huge files on tight deadlines.
You need ultra low latency
Online gaming and live streaming requires minimal lag and jitter, especially for competitive multiplayer titles. While 100 Mbps is plenty for the actual bandwidth, the faster processing and lower latency of modern fiber and DOCSIS 3.1 cable can provide a competitive edge.
Future-proofing your home
4K streaming is commonplace now. But 8K, 3D/VR gaming, holographic conferencing – these technologies are coming sooner than we realize. Our home broadband needs to be ready for the next generation of bandwidth-hungry applications.
Local ISP offers affordable gigabit
Fiber and cable internet prices have dropped significantly in recent years. In many areas, gigabit plans are just $20-30 more than standard plans.
If you can get 1000+ Mbps service for around $100, the value proposition is pretty tempting! Even if you don‘t need it now, it‘s nice having that extra capacity.
As you can see, there are definitely some situations where a gigabit internet connection makes sense. But when is 1200 Mbps overkill?
When is 1200 Mbps overkill?
For many households today, upgrading to a 1200 Mbps internet plan would provide more bandwidth than they realistically need. Here are some cases where gigabit speeds are overkill:
You mostly just stream video and browse the web
According to Netflix, you only need 5 Mbps speeds to watch HD video on 2 devices simultaneously. Even 4K streaming only requires around 25 Mbps. For casual web use, 10-20 Mbps per device is sufficient.
So a standard 100 Mbps connection has plenty of headroom already for a typical family‘s streaming and surfing needs across multiple devices.
You live alone or with just one other person
Single folks or couples that live alone rarely need speeds above 100-200 Mbps, even if you stream a lot. There just aren‘t enough devices and simultaneous users in a small household to take advantage of a full gigabit.
You‘re on a tight budget
At $100 or more per month, gigabit plans are still a premium service tier. For low income families or those watching their spending, it‘s tougher to justify paying extra for unused bandwidth headroom. Sticking with a more affordable 50-100 Mbps plan is the smarter financial move.
You mostly play single player games
For fast paced online gaming like Fortnite, Rocket League or Call of Duty, lower latency can provide a competitive edge. But for story-driven RPGs and single player titles, even a 25 Mbps connection provides good performance.
As you can see, gigabit internet remains overkill for many households and use cases today. But let‘s look at some real world speed test results at 1200 Mbps to see this upgrade in action.
Real-world examples of 1200 Mbps internet speeds
To help visualize just how fast a 1200 Mbps connection is, let‘s look at some actual speed tests:
Here are some observations:
- Downloading a 5 GB game takes just 27 seconds – wow!
- 4K YouTube videos start instantly – no buffering spins
- 1080p streams across multiple devices show zero latency
Now compare that to a 100 Mbps connection:
- The 5 GB game download now takes 6.5 minutes – that‘s 13x slower!
- Streaming high bitrate 4K or 8K video results in occasional buffering
- Upload speeds are slightly slower for transferring large files to the cloud
While the 100 Mbps connection is still plenty usable, you can really see and feel the difference when upgrading to true gigabit speeds.
Here are some more real-world gigabit vs broadband examples:
| Activity | 100 Mbps Time | 1200 Mbps Time |
|---|---|---|
| Download 100 Songs | 8 seconds | < 1 second |
| Download Photoshop (1 GB) | 1.5 minutes | 5 seconds |
| Upload 4K Video to YouTube (500 MB) | 1 minute | 4 seconds |
| HD Video Call w/ Screen Share | Works well | Crystal clear quality |
No matter what you throw at it, a 1200 Mbps connection handles it with ease. Of course, achieving these blazing speeds requires high-end networking gear too.
Optimal routers and equipment for 1200 Mbps
To fully utilize an internet plan with 1200 Mbps speeds, you need an advanced AC or AX router:
- Wireless AC WiFi 5 routers support up to 1700 Mbps
- Wireless AX WiFi 6 routers support up to 4000+ Mbps
For example, the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 AX6000 has two different bands that each offer 1200 Mbps throughput. This adds up to 2400 Mbps of total available bandwidth, which is plenty for most homes.
You also need modern client devices like laptops, phones and set top boxes with high-end 802.11ac Wave 2 or 802.11ax WiFi adapters. Using an old iPad with just 802.11n will limit speeds to around 300 Mbps.
For wired connections, use Cat 5e or Cat 6 ethernet cables. Cat 5e supports up to 1000 Mbps while Cat 6 handles up to 10 Gbps for future-proofing.
With a beefy tri-band router, proper cabling, and new client devices, you can achieve the full potential of a 1200 Mbps internet connection. But in most cases, 600-800 Mbps WiFi speeds are still blazing fast for UHD streaming, downloads and gaming.
Is it worth upgrading to gigabit 1200 Mbps?
At the end of the day, determining if you should upgrade to a residential 1200 Mbps internet plan depends on your needs:
- For light users, a 25-100 Mbps connection is perfectly adequate
- For large families or smart homes, gigabit provides headroom for many devices
- For work from home data transfers or 4K streaming, faster speeds are beneficial
- To future-proof your home as bandwidth demands increase
My advice is to start by testing your current internet speeds at a site like speedtest.net. If your average latency, download and upload results are satisfactory, then upgrading may not be worthwhile yet.
However, keep an eye out for deals from providers like Verizon Fios, AT&T Fiber or Comcast Xfinity. In many regions, gigabit plans are just $20-30 more than standard packages. For that premium, having a future-proof 1200 Mbps connection at your fingertips is pretty appealing!
I hope this technology deep dive gives you a better understanding of modern internet speeds. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to chat more about maximizing your home Wi-Fi network and performance.