Looking for high-speed internet providers?

A few years ago, a non-power user could get by with internet speeds below 100 Mbps. Due to the reality of today’s online experience, high-speed internet is a must for a usable online experience. Now, the question is: What is good high-speed internet? What should you look out for when choosing your fast internet service provider, package and bandwidth? Here are some tips on picking a high-speed internet provider and package that’s right for you.

Fiber or bust

First things first—always go with fiber. Fiber-optic internet is the internet of the future here today. In fact, it’s one of the few technologies that is actually agreed to be “future proof.” Because its bandwidth potential is so much greater than the speeds that currently exist, fiber connections will be able to handle speeds we can’t even conceive of right now. 

You may notice some cable internet providers advertising gigabit speeds (which are usually associated with fiber). While there are now specifications and protocols that allow gigabit and higher speeds through cable, it cannot be compared to fiber. 

Unlike fiber, these cable packages are usually not symmetrical (uploads are slower than downloads). As with all cable internet, its bandwidth (the amount of data it can handle at one time) is limited, so if there are many people online in your home, or even your neighborhood, you are likely to experience slowdowns. Also, cable internet is less reliable than fiber, in part due to being susceptible to electrical and weather interference.

Go as fast as you can afford

One of the most common questions from customers upgrading to fast internet is, “How fast is fast enough?”

Our short reply? “As fast as your budget allows.” The reason for this recommendation is simple. Just like high-speed internet was a luxury a few years ago but is now a requirement for a reasonable online experience, that gigabit connection will soon be a necessity to harness the growing power of the internet. If it’s in your budget, becoming an early adopter means you’ll enjoy an incredible online experience now and not have to worry about upgrading for years to come.

Our long reply? There’s simply nothing like gigabit fiber internet. At 1,000 Mbps, Ting internet can handle 20+ devices seamlessly, even if the whole family is engaged in data-intensive activities like high-definition streaming, video conferencing, gaming and the like. Large uploads and downloads take place in mere seconds—great for working, learning and other types of productivity. For remote workers/telecommuters, entrepreneurs, students, gamers and large families, gigabit internet is a game changer.

If gigabit fiber isn’t available where you live, we suggest not getting anything under 200 Mbps. While you won’t get the lightning-fast transfers and bandwidth capabilities of gigabit internet, you’ll avoid most of the buffering and slowdown issues you may get with slower speeds during heavy internet use.

The beauty of symmetry

We mentioned symmetrical internet earlier—internet that offers upload speeds equal to its download speeds. Many “fast internet” packages, especially non-fiber ones, will advertise a certain bandwidth speed that actually refers to maximum download speed, while maximum upload speed is considerably lower. Those companies will claim that “it’s the download speed that really counts.” With the way we use the internet today, this is simply not true. When it comes to speed, upload capabilities are just as important as download ones. This article outlines why that is. Always choose a provider and package that offers symmetrical speeds. At Ting, a symmetrical 1,000 Mbps connection means that your uploads (video conferencing, gaming, uploading to the cloud, etc.) are as lightning fast as your downloads. 

Fiber-to-the-home is the best type of fiber internet

All fiber internet is not created equal. The best type of fiber connection is fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), also known as fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP). What this means is that from your service provider all the way up to your modem, your connection solely consists of fiber-optic cable. Other connections may use copper cable in the “home stretch.” This brings with it the bandwidth limitations and reliability issues of cable and may result in speeds lower than expected. That’s why Ting Internet uses only FTTH connections. 

Why Ting Internet?

As you’ve probably realized by now, Ting Internet checks all the boxes for the best high-speed internet. We use future-proof fiber-optic cables, providing incredible bandwidth and reliability. Our 1,000 Mbps maximum speeds will transform your online experience, making buffering, lag and slow downloads a thing of the past. Your uploads will be just as speedy thanks to our symmetrical connection. And you’ll be able to harness the full potential of that gigabit internet package thanks to a fiber-to-the-home connection. 

We’re also a different kind of provider. We never lock you into a contract, so you can try Ting Internet, take gigabit for a spin, and leave at any time if our service isn’t for you. Whenever you need assistance, our knowledgeable human support team (no robots or phone trees!) is there to provide world-class assistance. And we’re dedicated to contributing to the communities that have welcomed us in, whether through sponsorships, providing truly fast internet to important local venues and organizations, or charitable donations.

To find out more about the best high-speed internet around, visit ting.com/internet.