Tom Melhuish 11 min read

A guide to Gigabit Internet

Do you need super-fast broadband for your job, or does your company need a quick, stable connection? Or, maybe you’re just intrigued by Gigabit internet – we have all the bases covered.

We explore Gigabit Internet to answer all those burning questions you have.

Contents

What is Gigabit internet?
Which providers offer Gigabit internet?
What do you need Gigabit internet for?
How to get Gigabit internet
Is it worth getting Gigabit internet?
Gigabit Internet FAQs

What is Gigabit internet?

Gigabit internet is a high-speed broadband internet service that provides data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps).

It is a much faster and more reliable alternative to traditional broadband internet services that usually offer 10 to 100 megabits per second (Mbps).

Gigabit broadband provides:

Fast Speeds: Gigabit internet offers data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gbps (or 1,000Mbps), significantly faster than traditional broadband services.
Increased Reliability: Gigabit internet provides a more stable and reliable connection, which is crucial for activities that require fast and consistent data transfer speeds, such as video conferencing and large file transfers.
Future-Proof: Gigabit internet is a future-proof solution for an increasingly connected world as it provides ample bandwidth for current and future applications that require fast and reliable internet connectivity.

Which providers offer Gigabit internet?

The following business broadband providers offer Gigabit internet:

*Remember the availability of Gigabit internet may vary depending on your location, so you must check on each provider’s page to ensure they can deliver 1,000 Mbps in your area.

What do you need Gigabit internet for?

Here are a few key activities that would benefit from a Gigabit broadband package:

High-quality video streaming: Gigabit internet provides the speed and bandwidth necessary to stream 4K and high-definition (HD) video content smoothly and with minimal buffering.
High-bandwidth applications: Applications that require a lot of data to be transmitted, such as virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), can benefit from the fast speeds provided by Gigabit internet.
High-quality video conferencing: With the rise of remote working and online education, video conferencing has become a critical application for many. Gigabit internet provides the speed and stability needed for high-quality video calls and live streaming.
Large file transfers: For businesses or individuals who need to transfer large files quickly and efficiently, Gigabit Internet is ideal as it provides fast and reliable data transfer speeds.

Gigabit internet provides the speed, reliability and bandwidth needed for a range of demanding applications and is well-suited to users who require fast and seamless internet connectivity.

Check your current broadband speed today.

Gigabit business internet deals

Here are the providers offering Gigabit business broadband deals in the UK. Before you begin the switch, ensure you add your exact location into the provider’s search bar to ensure that you can actually get Gigabit speed in your area as it requires them to use fibre-optic cables.

Once you compare business broadband prices, top speeds and any other key requirements, it’s worth looking at each of these providers’ reviews from current and past customers to ensure you are making an informed decision.

If you want a cheaper package with slightly slower speeds, cheap business broadband deals may be your solution.

How to get Gigabit internet

Getting Gigabit internet involves the same steps as a normal business broadband provider switch:

Determine availability – Check if Gigabit broadband is available in your area by contacting providers or using online availability checkers.
Choose a broadband provider – Research different providers and compare their packages, pricing, and customer reviews.
Check your current equipment – Ensure that your equipment, such as modem and business broadband router, is compatible with Gigabit broadband – especially if you have a custom router package. If not, ensure that the new provider will give you one.
Schedule your installation – Schedule an appointment with the provider and prepare for the installation process.
Test the connection speed – After installation, test your connection speed to ensure you receive the promised Gigabit speeds. You should contact the provider’s customer service team if you are not.
Constantly monitor service – Regularly monitor your service to ensure that you receive consistent and reliable speeds and latency.

And that’s how to get Gigabit broadband.

Most importantly, with Gigabit broadband, you are paying a much higher price for fast broadband, so make sure your provider delivers the speed they promised.

Is it worth getting Gigabit internet?

When considering Gigabit broadband, it’s worth considering your home’s specific needs and usage habits.

If you frequently use demanding applications such as 4K video streaming or high-quality video conferencing, Gigabit Internet could significantly enhance your user experience, providing faster and more stable connectivity.

If you work from home and need a fast and reliable connection for large file transfers or video conferencing, it will provide the speed and stability required to be productive.

But:

If your internet usage is primarily limited to browsing the web, checking email, VoIP and social media, and streaming standard definition (SD) video, a Gigabit connection may be overkill and an unnecessarily expensive.

Whether Gigabit internet is worth getting depends on the user’s specific needs and usage habits.

It’s worth considering for those who require fast and reliable connectivity for demanding applications, but it may not be necessary for those with lighter internet usage needs.

Here’s our in-depth explainer on how much internet speed your business needs.

Gigabit Internet FAQs

Frequently asked questions surrounding Gigabit internet.

How fast is Gigabit internet?

Gigabit internet refers to an internet connection with a speed of 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps), equivalent to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps).

This represents a significant improvement over the average broadband speeds in the UK, which is reckoned to be 50 Mbps.

A Gigabit connection can deliver download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, which is significantly faster than most other broadband connections.

This speed is ideal for demanding applications such as 4K video streaming, online gaming, and high-quality video conferencing, as it ensures minimal buffering and fast, seamless data delivery.

To get the maximum benefit from a Gigabit connection, it is recommended to have a wired connection (e.g. Ethernet) rather than relying on Wi-Fi.

Gigabit internet is a high-speed broadband solution well-suited to those requiring fast and reliable internet connectivity for demanding applications.

With the increasing demand for online services, Gigabit connections will likely become more widespread in the UK, enabling users to enjoy lightning-fast internet speeds.

Is 1Gbps too fast?

It depends on what you need it for. Are you a pro streamer that plays games on Twitch? Are you always on video calls? – Then we would suggest 1Gbps is what you need.

However, if you are a light user and do the occasional Wordle and read the news, then yes – this is probably too fast.

Weigh up your requirements and what you need at the lowest level, then work from there. You don’t want to be overpaying for something that is not necessary. However, it’s worth the extra cost if you need it daily, and a slow connection would harm your productivity; then it’s the way to go.

Is Gigabit internet available in London?

Yes, Gigabit internet is available in some London suburbs. There are multiple broadband providers offering Gigabit internet services in the city. You can check with providers like Virgin Media, Openreach, and Hyperoptic to see if they offer Gigabit internet in your area.

Remember that you will need to consider four additional factors: availability, speed, cost and installation.

Availability: The availability of Gigabit internet services in London depends on your location and the infrastructure in your area. To check if Gigabit Internet is available at your home, you can visit the websites of the providers mentioned above or call them directly to inquire.
Speed: Gigabit internet typically offers speeds of up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps). This is significantly faster than the average broadband speed in the UK, which is around 50 Mbps.
Cost: The cost of Gigabit internet services in London varies depending on the provider and the type of plan you choose. You can expect to pay a premium for Gigabit speeds compared to standard broadband.
Installation: Installation of Gigabit internet usually requires a professional installation process, which may include the deployment of new infrastructure or the upgrade of existing equipment.
Equipment: You will need a compatible modem or business broadband router to use Gigabit internet. Some providers offer this equipment as part of the installation process, while others may require you to purchase it separately.