100 Mbps internet speed is now the new standard for broadband connectivity. In its press release dated March 14, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it was raising the broadband benchmark by 300% due to the growing need for high-speed internet in American homes.
The new definition of broadband internet is 100 Mbps of download speed and at least 20 Mbps of upload speed instead of the previous 20/3 Mbps (down/up) ratio. The change reflects our rapid shift towards advanced technology.
100 Mbps internet is fast enough to support downloading, high-resolution video streaming, and regular online gaming on the latest artificial intelligence-enabled (AI-enabled) devices. Even though it has become the foundation (starting speed) for US broadband, it still offers sufficient value to homes with 2-3 members.
Best For:
- Small households with light internet usage.
- Web and social media browsing on up to 5 devices at once.
- Streaming videos in HD and 4K resolution on 2-4 devices.
- Light online gaming and file downloading.
Not Suitable For:
- Large households.
- Running an online business from home.
- Professional online gaming (especially AR and VR).
- HD and ultra HD streaming on several devices.
What Can You Do with 100 Mbps Download Speed?
A 100 Mbps connection has a download rate of 12.5 megabytes per second (MBps). It is because 1 byte is equal to 8 bits. Therefore, 100 megabits per second (Mbps) divided by 8 bits will give us 12.5 MBps.
With this decently fast download rate, you can perform several online activities, ranging from web browsing to multiplayer online gaming.
During off-peak hours and depending on the Wi-Fi capabilities of the network, you can connect between 6 and 10 devices simultaneously on 100 Mbps internet to enjoy intense online activities, like HD video streaming, HD video conferencing, video game downloads, and heavy file sharing.
The table below highlights the performance of your 100 Mbps internet speed in relation to some of the most common online activities. The performance details should give you a glimpse of the multi-device capabilities of 100 Mbps speeds.
| Online Activity | Performance Details |
|---|---|
| Web Browsing and Emailing | On 100 devices at once |
| Standard Definition (SD) Video Streaming | On 25 devices at once |
| High Definition (HD) Video Streaming | On 12 devices at once |
| UHD (4K) Video Streaming | On 4 devices at once |
| HD Video Conferencing on Skype | On 16 devices at once |
| Multiplayer Online Gaming | On 25 devices at once |
| Connecting Game Console to the Network | Can support 33 consoles at once |
You can refer to the table below to understand the download capabilities of your 100 Mbps connection.
| Downloaded File | Time It Takes with 100 Mbps Speed |
|---|---|
| A 50 KB PDF File | Less than a second |
| A 2.5 MB E-book | Less than a second |
| A 425 MB Zip File (containing images) | 34 seconds |
| A 2 GB HD Video File | 2.7 minutes |
| A 30 GB Video Game | 40 minutes |
| 256 GB of iPhone Backup | 5.7 hours |
| 1 TB of data from the Cloud | 22 hours |
Is 100 Mbps Internet Good for Gaming?
In the world of online gaming, latency and jitter matter more than the upload and download speeds. Luckily, with 100 Mbps internet speed, you can play all the following types of online games.
- Role-playing games
- First-person shooter games
- Real-time strategy games
- Multiplayer games
The minimum speed requirement for the above-mentioned games is 3-4 Mbps per device.
So, as long as you have a stable internet connection resulting in a latency of under 60 milliseconds and jitter of less than 30 milliseconds, you can expect smooth gameplay on your 100 Mbps internet plan.
Is 100 Mbps Internet Good for Streaming?
Whether you are streaming videos in standard definition (SD) or ultra-high-definition (UHD 4K), you will need a download speed of more than 25 Mbps for single-device streaming.
The minimum speed requirement for viewing a video in SD resolution is 3 Mbps on each device, and you will need at least 5 Mbps of download speed for streaming a video in HD resolution. However, 4K video streams require at least 25 Mbps (down) for buffer-free viewing.
These facts and numbers suggest that 100 Mbps internet speed is fast enough to support simultaneous 4K video streaming on 4 devices.
Is 100 Mbps Internet Good for Remote Working?
It is here that the fine line between YES and NO dissipates, and we have to utter the words “It depends”.
If you usually use light online applications for your remote work, such as Gmail, Zoom, Skype, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams, 100 Mbps internet speed should be sufficient, at least for a single user.
However, if you are a cloud-based content creator or use virtual reality platforms such as Meta Horizon Workrooms, most likely you will need speeds as fast as 1 Gbps.
Another key consideration should be the upload speed of your 100 Mbps internet plan. For video conferencing apps like Zoom and Skype, the smoothness of your connection will depend on the upload speed. And apart from fiber-rich 100 Mbps plans, no other type of internet can guarantee 100 Mbps of upload speeds.
Limitations of 100 Mbps Internet Speed
The new starting speed for broadband internet, 100 Mbps, may pose several challenges as everyday technology continues to evolve and become more bandwidth-hungry.
Very soon, we may realize that 100 Mbps internet speed is insufficient to support smart home devices, AI-enabled hardware and software, and our shift to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) platforms.
Another major drawback of the 100 Mbps internet plan is its limited multi-device functionality. You can connect up to 10 devices on the network if the running applications fall under the ‘light’ and ‘low graphics’ categories. But power internet users will not be able to connect more than 4 devices without experiencing a drop in connection quality.
So, 100 Mbps speed is unsuitable for a family with multiple internet users.
Best 100 Mbps Internet Plans
100 Mbps is on the low end of the speedometer. Therefore, it is unsurprising to find this speed tier on all types of internet connections. Ranging from satellite internet to fixed wireless and fiber-optic to DSL internet, all providers offer a 100 Mbps internet plan.
Depending on the type of connection, you will get symmetrical or asymmetric upload speeds. The average cost of 100 Mbps internet on a wireless network is $85 per month. Whereas, the monthly median price of 100 Mbps speed on wired networks is $44.
Some ACP providers may only offer 100 Mbps tiers to their Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) customers, while some may include it in their generalized offerings.
Similarly, satellite, fixed wireless internet, and internet protocol broadband (IPBB) providers may cap data usage on 100 Mbps plans. But others like fiber, cable, and DSL internet providers usually offer unlimited data with the plan.
| Popular 100 Mbps Internet Plans | ||||
| 100 Mbps Plans | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Price | Type |
| AT&T Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | $55.00/mo. | IPBB |
| Spectrum Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | 10 Mbps | $29.99/mo. | Cable |
| Kinetic 100 | 100 Mbps | 10 Mbps | $50.00/mo. | DSL |
| Frontier Internet 100 | 115 Mbps | Varies | $64.99/mo. | DSL |
| HughesNet Elite | 100 Mbps | 5 Mbps | $64.99/mo. | Satellite |
| EarthLink Fiber 100 | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | $59.95/mo. | Fiber |
| EarthLink Wireless | 100 Mbps | 5 – 15 Mbps | $59.95/mo. | Fixed Wireless |
Wireless speeds may vary.
Availability of 100 Mbps plans may depend on your eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the type of service offered in your area.
Is 100 Mbps a Good Internet Speed?
100 Mbps internet speed is about to become the new standard of basic internet connectivity across the country. 100 Mbps of download speed is decently fast and can support all essential online activities like web surfing, social media browsing, high-quality video streaming, and even regular online gaming.
With a 100 Mbps internet plan, you and two other family members can go online concurrently, connect up to 6 low-end devices, and enjoy all the benefits that the digital realm has to offer.
