What is broadband?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband internet as a fixed connection that delivers at least 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads. This updated standard was adopted in 2024, superseding the earlier criteria of 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads.

Broadband speeds differ depending on peak use times (for example, right after work), number of connected devices (computers, smartphones and tablets) and the kinds of material being accessed (email vs. video, for instance).

How much speed do you need?

Internet speed	Works for
0–5 Mbps	Checking email Streaming music on one device Searching the Internet
5–40 Mbps	Streaming video on one device Video calling Online gaming for one player
40–100 Mbps	Streaming HD video on a few devices Multiplayer online gaming Downloading large files
100–500 Mbps	Streaming video in UHD on multiple screens Downloading files quickly Gaming online for multiple players
500–1,000+ Mbps	Doing a lot of almost anything on numerous devices simultaneously

Source: HighSpeedInternet.com, How much internet speed do I need?

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