The Ultimate Guide to the Internet

We’re answering all your high-speed internet questions.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed while trying to choose an internet plan, you’re not alone. But EarthLink is here to make those decisions easier with this Ultimate Guide to everything you ever wanted to know about internet service. We’ve got you covered on how to estimate the speed you need, the top questions to ask your provider, specific guides for students, empty nesters, and so much more.

We’ve got the short and sweet version for you below. Or, if you want all the answers, just download our interactive PDF — and be sure to subscribe for more great content.

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What Internet Speed Do You Need?

Perhaps the biggest question on everyone’s mind: what speed do you really need? Let’s start with the basics. Or, use our bandwidth calculator for a fast take.

Number of Devices*

2–4

5–8

More than 9

Activity

Recommended Download Speed

Surfing the web, email, social media, occasionally streaming

100 Mbps or more

Online multiplayer gaming, HD streaming, photo sharing

500 Mbps or more

Working remotely, attending online classes, playing multiplayer games, 4K streaming, multiple smart home devices

800 Mbps or more

*When counting connected devices in your home, don’t forget about smart home devices. Even if you’re not using the smart capabilities every day, if it’s connected to your network, it requires some extra speed.

The top tier of internet speed? Anywhere from 1 to 5 Gigs (or 1,000 – 5,000 Mbps). At these speeds, there’s practically no limit on the number of devices that can be connected, and many data-consuming activities can be taking place at once.

What is Fiber Internet?

Fiber internet is the future of connection. It’s faster and more reliable than any other type of internet connection. Plus, it has symmetrical upload and download speeds, so there’s just about no limit to what you can do.

EarthLink Fiber Internet never has data caps or speed throttling, either, so you can hit “play next episode” without thinking about it.

Fiber vs. Cable icon

What is Wireless Home Internet?

Wireless Home Internet is the latest type of internet connection. It relies on cell towers to create a network for your home and is up to 3 times faster than your cell phone’s hotspot. It’s especially handy for folks living in rural areas, where fiber lines haven’t been put into the ground. It’s faster than DSL and more reliable than satellite.

Or, if you’ve already got fiber internet but need a little extra bandwidth sometimes, see if wireless home internet is the best back-up plan for your internet.

Wireless home internet icon (cell tower)

What is Satellite Internet?

Satellite internet is available at nearly every home across the country. It uses a satellite dish positioned on or near your home to communicate with a satellite that is orbiting the Earth and creates an internet network. As long as your residence has a clear view of the sky, satellite will probably work for you. We’ve got everything else you need to know about what satellite internet is and who should use it.

It’s faster than DSL but often requires long contracts, expensive equipment, and can be vulnerable to bad weather. That’s why wireless home internet is such an important innovation!

Satellite internet icon