The Need for Speed: Why Gigabit Broadband is the Future

Fast broadband internet speeds were once a luxury, but gigabit broadband is quickly becoming the norm. With more devices connected to home networks than ever and data-heavy applications like video streaming on the rise, superfast gigabit speeds are the way of the future. In this article, we’ll examine gigabit broadband, why it matters, and how regular households can benefit from the switch.

What is Gigabit Broadband?

Simply put, gigabit broadband refers to internet speeds of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) or 1000 megabits per second (Mbps), up to 100 times faster than average broadband speeds in many countries. With gigabit broadband, you can download an HD movie in under 1 minute, compared to over 10 minutes on 100Mbps fibre connections.

Gigabit broadband achieves these ultrafast speeds using fibre optic cables rather than traditional copper phone lines. Fibre cables transmit data via light signals, removing bottlenecks and allowing for nearly instantaneous transfers. Many fibre providers use technology like DOCSIS 3.1 modems that bond multiple channels to deliver headline gigabit speeds.

Why We Need Gigabit Broadband

There are several compelling reasons why gigabit broadband represents the future, even for regular home users.

1. More Connected Devices – The average home now has over 10 connected devices, from phones and laptops to smart fridges, security cameras, TVs, and more. A gigabit connection provides enough bandwidth to run all these devices smoothly simultaneously.
2. 4K/8K Video Streaming – Ultra HD video requires 25Mbps speeds for 4K and 50Mbps for 8K. Optical fibre gigabit broadband can easily handle multiple streams in the highest resolutions.
3. Smart Home Technology – The full potential of smart home tech, like virtual assistants and IoT sensors, can only be realized with the near-instant response times of gigabit networks.
4. Future Proofing – Emerging technologies like virtual reality gaming, augmented reality and the Internet of Things (IoT) will require faster broadband. Gigabit speeds futureproof your home.
5. Work from Home – Remote working is on the rise, and fast Internet speeds allow households to be productive with activities like video conferencing. Gigabit broadband ensures blazing-fast uploads and downloads.
6. Multiple Users – Families with many members or homes with many occupants can use gigabit speeds, which allows everyone to stream, game, work, and more simultaneously.
7. Cloud Storage – With gigabit broadband, you can quickly backup or access vast data from cloud storage, even wirelessly.
8. Property Value – Homes with gigabit connectivity available can demand higher property prices and are more appealing to buyers.

Gigabit Broadband Providers in the UK

Many network providers worldwide now offer gigabit broadband using fibre optic infrastructure. Top companies providing consumer gigabit broadband include:

• Virgin Media – The first UK provider to offer gigabit speeds widely using DOCSIS 3.1 technology.

• BT – Utilises Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) to offer BT Gigafast plans with 1000Mbps speeds.

• Hyperoptic – An independent fibre optic provider focused on urban centres across the UK.

• Lightspeed Broadband is making waves in the rural South Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Rutland with its state-of-the-art full-fibre network. The company has already started the construction of their network in 32 market towns.

• Vodafone utilizes its existing cable infrastructure to offer high-speed Vodafone Gigafast plans.

• EE offers mobile phone and broadband services, including gigabit broadband with speeds up to 900 Mbps and mobile phone and TV bundles.

• Sky is a popular TV and broadband provider in the UK offering a range of gigabit broadband packages, including a basic package with no data cap.

• Plusnet is a smaller provider that offers Gigabit Broadband in a number of UK cities. Plusnet is known for its excellent customer service and low prices.

• Giganet is a fibre optic broadband provider that offers gigabit broadband packages with speeds of up to 1,100 Mbps and has a good reputation for customer service.

• Community Fibre is a non-profit broadband provider that offers gigabit broadband packages for rural areas.

Gigabit broadband is also being rolled out across Europe, Asia, Australia, and more, so availability is increasing globally. Municipal broadband projects also accelerate access to affordable gigabit speeds in many regions.

Making the Switch

The first step for households ready to make the switch is checking availability in their area through provider websites. Gigabit plans are competitively priced and sometimes discounted for new customers. Depending on the existing infrastructure, the installation may require laying fibre cables or fitting advanced modems.

Once switched on, a good router, such as a mesh WiFi system, can help spread gigabit speeds throughout the home, even allowing wireless speeds near 1Gbps. This level of speed and connectivity unleashes the full potential of all your devices and unlocks the door to the future of home broadband.

The Bottom Line

With lightning-fast gigabit broadband, lengthy download times and buffering wheels will become a thing of the past. As more smart devices connect our homes and high-bandwidth applications continue to emerge, gigabit fibre broadband will only increase in necessity. Making the switch today allows households to take advantage of tomorrow’s speeds.

For those looking for a seamless connected experience across endless devices, say goodbye to lag and hello to gigabit.