When you’re shopping for internet service, you hear a lot about speed. But how is that actually measured? And more importantly, is paying for the fastest speeds worth it? How much speed do you actually need?

Let’s break down everything you need to know about internet speed and how to figure out if you’re actually getting what you are paying for.

What does high-speed internet really mean? 

To get technical, internet speeds are measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The higher the number of megabits, the more information you can transfer every second. When speeds reach 1,000 Mbps, that equals 1 Gig. Today, GFiber’s fastest internet products offer speeds up to 8 Gig. (We’re actually also testing 20 Gig in several cities)

In practical terms, that means your whole family can work from home without worrying about dropped video calls. All your gamers and stream-watchers can enjoy the best quality without buffering, and busy households can count on reliable coverage from the basement office or game room to the upstairs bedrooms.

Key terms for measuring speed

Internet service providers (ISPs) use a few common terms to measure speed: download, upload, and latency. 

• Download speed measures how fast information travels to you. This affects how long it takes to download large files, update games, stream without buffering or load complex internet pages.
  
  

• Upload speed measures how fast information travels from you. This affects how you look  and whether you freeze on video calls, how fast you can upload files to the cloud, and how long it takes to send big attachments.
  
  

• Latency (also called ping) is your connection’s reaction time. In this case, fast means "low latency"—a more responsive connection. You’ll notice this most in timing-sensitive situations, like online gaming. 

Many internet products offer much faster download speeds than upload speeds. GFiber is a leader in providing symmetrical speeds, meaning your uploads are just as fast as your downloads so you can really do everything you need to do online.

How fast is fast? Comparing speed across providers

The average internet speed for U.S. households is about 214 Mbps, according to highspeedinternet.com.* If two or more people use the internet in your house, you’ll likely want a minimum speed of 100 Mbps, according to broadbandnow.com. However, most people today are used to speeds of 500 Mbps or more, which allows a more seamless internet experience. For comparison, GFiber products offer speeds up to 1 Gig, 3 Gig, 5 Gig, or 8 Gig (or 1,000 - 8,000 Mbps). 

So that covers speed to your home, but it’s not enough to have great internet coming in. You’ll also need equipment that allows your devices to take advantage of all that speed, so you want a provider that offers the latest technology. For example, Wi-Fi 7 is the newest router standard, significantly improving how your devices connect. If you’re curious about how fast  your current connection is in your home right now, check out the free GFiber speed test—it works with any provider.

Is all this speed worth the cost? 

Fiber internet gives you performance and security that goes beyond basic connectivity. If you’re uploading large files, gaming, or streaming in 4K (or doing all these things simultaneously, fiber’s symmetrical speeds and low latency are game-changers.

If you consider yourself a "light" internet user, weigh the value carefully. Look for transparent pricing combined with reliable performance. You should know exactly what you’re paying every month. Many providers use promotional pricing that jumps significantly after a year (or less!). Make sure you understand what’s included (like equipment and installation or service) and whether your price is likely to change. GFiber has maintained our pricing since our launch in 2012.

The GFiber difference is more than speed

The GFiber experience isn’t just about the speed you get; it’s about the peace of mind that comes with it. We know the internet is the lifeblood of your home, which is why we’ve built in extra features to ensure you stay connected and in control.

• Stay connected during an outage

We offer a battery backup** option for certain products. This can keep your essential internet services running even if the power goes out, which is a game-changer for busy households who can’t afford an interruption to work or school.

• Total control with the app
  For total network control, you can manage your connection right from the GFiber app. It’s the simplest way to see who’s connected, run a quick speed test, manage your Wi-Fi network, and check on your mesh equipment for optimal whole-home coverage.

• Confidence you can count on

Our Uptime Guarantee*** on our Edge 8 Gig product shows how confident we are in the reliability of our fiber connection. We back up our performance promise with credit on your account if you don't get the connection you expect. That’s a guarantee for our power users who demand the very best.

Why GFiber is worth it

GFiber consistently earns recognition for both speed and value. 

• GFiber is the 3x Winner J.D. Power Award #1 in Home Wired Internet Satisfaction in the South.

• Leading third-party reviewer CNET rated GFiber "Best High-Speed ISP of 2025 (National),” saying, “There's arguably no better multi-gig provider.”

• GFiber is a 4x PCMag Reader's Choice Award Winner, adding in their 2025 results, “GFiber is the gold standard in US broadband internet service.”

• Reviews.org honored GFiber as the Fastest ISP of 2025 and 2026.

• HighSpeedInternet.com rated GFiber as 2024 and 2025's Best Overall internet provider in the US. 

We’re proud of that because it confirms what we hear from our customers every day.

Our pricing is simple. You can see exactly what you’ll pay on our Broadband Facts label, and there are no data caps or sneaky price increases. We’ve stuck to this straightforward approach since 2012. Your product includes not only your router but also the mesh Wi-Fi equipment you need for whole-home coverage.  

Getting started is easy. We offer professional installation at no extra cost, but many people choose to set everything up themselves with self-install.

Not sure which plan is right for you? Take this short quiz to see which option best meets your needs.

Ready to learn more? Visit gfiber.com to check availability and see which of our internet products is right for you.

Disclaimers:

*As of early 2025, data from HighSpeedInternet.com confirms the average U.S. household download speed is approximately 214 Mbps.

**Provides up to 2 hours of power for your primary point of internet connection during a power outage. Will not power extenders. May not function in a serious or widespread outage that also affects centralized networking facilities. Only available for Home 3 Gig customers ($10/mo) and Edge 8 Gig customers (included). Plans and Reliability Plus features may not be available in all locations. Please check your address at gfiber.com to see available speeds and options for your area.

***Details on our Uptime Guarantee at: https://gfiber.com/legal/terms/residential/uga/

For J.D. Power 2025 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards

CNET: A trademark of Ziff Davis, LLC. Used under license; Reprinted with permission. © 2025 Ziff Davis, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

PCMag: A trademark of Ziff Davis, LLC. Used under license; Reprinted with permission. © 2025 Ziff Davis, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Named 2024 & 2025’s Best Overall Internet Provider in the U.S. according to HighSpeedInternet.com.