If you have thought about getting an internet connection, you may have heard the term Mbps. Most internet service providers use this term to advertise their service and its speed. But what is Mbps, and how much of it do you need? In this guide, I will tell you all you need to know about Mbps and the required Mbps for your everyday needs, such as gaming, browsing, streaming, etc.
Mbps Meaning
In the world of data transmission, Mbps stands for Megabits per second. When it is said that a connection has a speed of 1Mbps, it means the connection can transfer up to 1Mb of data from one point to another. In the same way, a 100Mbps connection can do the same for 100Mb of data.
Because the number tells you the speed of the connection, Mbps is the most common metric when it comes to internet connections. You may also spot the name on Wi-Fi routers, whose theoretical speed limits can be counted via Mbps. However, in this guide, we will talk about the meaning of Mbps for internet speed.
Mbps to Kbps
Just like Megabits and Kilobits, Mbps and Kbps are also connected.
1Mbps equals 1000Kbps. To simplify this, let’s say that you have a 250Kb file. With a 1Mbps connection, you can transfer four such files in a single second.
When it comes to internet speed, Kbps is not used anymore. Instead, we measure the speed based on the number of Megabits of data one connection can handle per second.
How Many Mbps in a GB
These days, you may use the word GB more than MB or Mb. So, here is a quick overview of how many Mbps are in a GB.
Even though Mbps and GB measure two different things, you can find a relation between them. As per this understanding, 1GB is equal to 8000Mbps. In this context, 1GB means 1 Gigabyte, and Mbps refers to Megabits per second.
Megabits Per Second Vs. Megabytes Per Second (Mbps vs. MBps)
You may have noticed the change when we converted Mbps to GB. To understand this correctly, you should have an idea about the difference between Megabits per second (Mbps) and Megabytes per second (MBps). The problem is that MBps is not a standard metric used to measure internet speed, but it should be.
According to data hierarchy, an MBps is equal to 8Mbps. It happens so because you need 8 Bits of data to create 1 Byte of data. In the context of an internet connection, it means a few things.
One, when a connection has a speed of 100Mbps, it cannot transfer 100MB of data per second. Instead, the speed limit is close to 12.5MB per second. Other variables may affect this speed further.
Two, you must understand this difference if you need a connection powerful enough to transfer a particular amount of data per second. For instance, if you need to download or upload 100Mb of data per second, the connection should have a speed of 800Mbps.
Alternatively, if you want to know how much data a connection can download/upload per second, you must divide the Mbps number by 8. Then, you would have a correct understanding.
How Fast is 1 Mbps for Downloads?
1Mbps is not sufficiently fast for downloads. If you remember the calculation, a 1Mbps internet connection can download only 125KB of data per second. This is not enough to download huge files. For reference, this connection would need 80 seconds to download 10MB of data. Therefore, if you want to download large-sized files, I will not recommend a 1Mbps connection.
However, 1Mbps may be sufficient for casual browsing or checking your email once in a while.
Is 1 Mbps Good for Gaming?
1Mbps is not enough for gaming, either. Let’s take the case of offline games, which require you to download a lot of data. A 1Mbps connection will take days to complete the download process. For online games, you need a stable connection with less latency, better ping, and consistency. This is particularly the case if you are into multiplayer games. 1Mbps is not going to cut it.
You should get a 50Mbps connection to ensure a smooth gaming experience.
Is 1 Mbps Good for Streaming?
For the same reasons mentioned above, 1Mbps is not suitable for streaming, either. A data transfer capacity of 125KB per second is not enough for an active process like streaming. Once again, you should get started with a 50Mbps plan.
Is 1 Mbps Good for Working from Home?
If your work-from-home job requires frequent downloads, 1Mbps is not enough for it, either. Although you may be able to browse the web and check emails, the speed won’t be enough for intensive tasks. I would recommend that you get a connection with 25Mbps or higher. This way, you can download at least 3MB of data per second.
How Much Mbps Do You Need?
Now, let’s see how much Mbps you need for everyday tasks.
Basic Browsing and Email
Basic browsing and checking email do not require a lot of speed. So, you can survive with even a 1Mbps set-up. But I recommend going for at least a 10Mbps connection.
Streaming (Standard and HD)
For standard streaming, you can live with a 1Mbps connection. However, if you need a seamless HD streaming experience, you should go for a 25Mbps connection or higher. For 4K streaming, however, you need to up the limits to at least 50Mbps.
Online Gaming
Online gaming does not require a lot of download speed in the first place. Of course, you will benefit from the high speed of downloading the core files. Post that, you need standard speed and exceptional ping. So, you should check for a connection with better latency.
Remote Work and Video Conferencing
I would assume that remote work and video conferencing also involve a lot of downloads. Even if you do not have to download a lot of files, high-quality video calls require reasonable speeds. Therefore, I would get a 50Mbps connection to be on the safe side.
Smart Home Devices
Like online gaming, smart-home devices do not require the highest internet speed. Instead, latency plays a vital role in how quickly you can pass the commands to the device. Therefore, you can set up everything using a 50Mbps connection.
But these connection speeds are not absolute. Instead, they are affected by multiple factors.
Factors Influencing Required Mbps
Here are a few factors that will influence how much Mbps you need for your home/office.
Number of Devices Connected Simultaneously
You should check how many devices you would connect to the network at a time. If there are more devices, you need more Mbps for sure.
Types of Activities Performed on the Network
You don’t need the highest speed if you simply want to browse the web or check the internet. If your family downloads or streams a lot of content, you need higher speeds to survive.
Quality of Service provided by the ISP
ISPs do not consistently deliver the exact speeds they promise. So, you should check if your ISP can do it. If not, it makes sense to get a connection at a higher speed, leaving room for backup.
Impact of Network Congestion and Peak Times
If you live in an urban space, network congestion may be expected during peak usage times. You have two options. One is to get a connection with peak usage protection, and two is to add backup speed.
Based on these ideas, you can get an internet connection with the required speed. You do not have to worry about higher speeds, either. If anything, getting a higher-speed connection will future-proof your network.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should get a connection with at least 50Mbps if you need a seamless gaming experience. With 50Mbps speed, you can download core files at a reasonable speed. Also, with proper latency, you can have a lag-free gaming experience as well.
500Mbps is really fast for most people and families. Even if you have connected tens of devices to the Wi-Fi network, everyone will get decent browsing and downloading speed. It is recommended if you have more than one 4K-streaming device.
Most small homes would be fine with a 100Mbps connection. However, if your family members use many devices and downloads, you should upgrade to a 300Mbps connection. 500Mbps will be enough for bigger families with multiple 4K streaming TVs.
Conclusion
I have tried my best to cover almost everything one needs to know about Mbps and how much Mbps you need for multiple scenarios. Make sure you do not underestimate the need for internet speed, as it can defeat the purpose of the connection.
For instance, I don’t recommend trying to save money by going for a low-speed plan when choosing a setup for your work-from-home station. Similarly, lower-speed plans can take the joy out of gaming. So, even if you go overboard at the required speed, never undersell it.
