A few decades ago, people were thrilled when they could download items on the internet at a speed of 10 Mbps. Times have changed, and broadband internet has a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps. The Federal Communications Commission requires this speed for a provider to advertise their service as broadband.
However, many people find 25 Mbps is too slow for their needs. They have multiple family members connected to the internet simultaneously, as well as smart home devices that utilize the service continuously. When the current internet service can no longer keep up, they look into fiber internet in your area. What benefits come with doing so? Will the household incur significantly higher costs for this service?
How Much is Enough?
Before the global pandemic, many households were satisfied with an internet speed of 100 Mbps. This speed was more than sufficient for people to stream content, play online games, or participate in video conferences. During the pandemic, when everyone was home together and using the internet for home or school, they quickly discovered that 100 Mbps was not enough. Latency became an issue.
Internet speed was often the cause of this latency. People would check their devices for viruses or malware and move these devices closer to the router. When the service did not improve after these steps were taken, they realized the problem was with the internet speed. Many people face similar issues today, as homes have become increasingly connected through numerous devices. Thanks to increased technology demands, households might find that 100 Mbps no longer meets their needs.
Fiber Internet
People who find that their current internet service can no longer meet their demands turn to fiber options. Fiber internet is significantly faster than other options offered today. Speeds can reach 10 Gbps, and upload and download speeds are synchronous. A person can upload a file as quickly as they download one, which usually isn’t possible with other internet service options. Latency is less of an issue with fiber as the cables carry light pulses that are less prone to interference.
Users love that they never need to worry about their service being throttled during periods of peak demand, and they can download a two-hour HD movie in under 45 seconds. It would take seven minutes to download the same movie using a cable connection and 30 minutes with DSL. People can do more when they make the move to fiber internet.
The Cost of Fiber
People often worry that they will pay significantly more for fiber internet. They are pleasantly surprised to learn that fiber internet is not substantially higher than what they currently have. DSL subscribers pay an average of $54 a month for service, while cable internet users pay $69 a month. Fiber internet typically costs an average of $81, which is lower than the price of satellite internet. In 2025, the average person pays $93 per month for satellite service.
Imagine having lightning-fast internet. It’s possible when a person moves to fiber internet. Streaming is smoother, buffering is less of a concern, and latency becomes a thing of the past when they switch. People who opt for fiber internet find they are more satisfied with their internet service, which can keep up with the demands of a modern household. They will enjoy going online once again.
