How fast is a gigabit network?
As more businesses today have the potential to access a fiber gigabit network, they are considering switching their Internet connections from broadband to faster gigabit fiber. Fiber-optic communication promises not only faster Internet speed, but greater security and better performance. So, how fast is a gigabit network, and how does it compare to broadband and other Internet options?
Here’s a brief primer, “How fast is a gigabit network?” that addresses gigabit network speed in theory and in practice.
How fast is a gigabit network?
A gigabit network can be incredibly fast. 1 gigabit (Gb) is equal to 125 megabytes (MBs), so a gigabit network offering a speed of 1 Gbps could transfer 125 megabytes of data per second. A 100 Gbps gigabit network can transfer 12,500 megabytes per second (100,000 megabits) or 12.5 gigabytes per second.
How fast is a gigabit network in theory?
A gigabit network can potentially transfer data at speeds up to 100 Gbps, but most network providers offer connection speeds up to 10 Gbps.
How fast is a gigabit network in reality?
The actual speed of a gigabit network depends on the overhead on a network and the quality of all the components involved in transmitting data. Gigabit network performance may be slowed or compromised by:
- A slow network controller
- Low-quality network cabling
- A hub, switch or router that doesn’t support gigabit network speeds
- The read/write speed of a hard drive
- The amount of memory available
- Other programs or services that are running simultaneously
How fast is a gigabit network compared to broadband?
In 2017, broadband connections averaged speeds of 18.7 Mbps. A gigabit fiber connection is more than 50 to 500 times faster, taking just seconds or fractions of a second to download files that would take minutes or hours over broadband.
How fast is a gigabit network with Spectrum Enterprise?
As a leading provider of fiber solutions to America’s largest businesses, Spectrum Enterprise offers gigabit network service in cities and states throughout the country. With thousands of fiber-route miles and fiber-lit buildings nationwide, Spectrum’s fiber-optic gigabit network services provide Internet access and Ethernet solutions with bandwidth that scales from 25 Mbps to 100 Gbps. Our fiber Internet service features dedicated Internet access that ensures businesses have the bandwidth they require at any time of day. Spectrum Enterprise Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) guarantee 100% uptime, end-to-end performance nationwide and unrivaled remedies to give you the greatest confidence in your network.1.
1 100% uptime SLA guarantee applies only to Dedicated Fiber Internet, Secure Dedicated Fiber Internet, Ethernet Services, Cloud Connect and Enterprise Trunking.