Kevin
February 15, 2022
Common Questions

MBPS is an important statistic to understand when it comes to internet speeds. What does MBPS mean, and how is it relevant to your own networks?

Since the dawn of the digital age, the internet and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) have become incorporated into nearly every part of people’s lives. Nearly every digital device has some connectivity to the internet, allowing us to connect with the outside world in ways we previously could not. If you are reading this article, the odds are good that you’re doing so over the internet.

The speed at which that connection happens is chiefly measured in Mbps. While this is a fairly technical term, knowing what it means is useful. This is what Mbps means, why it’s essential, and how that information is valuable in the real world.

What Does Mbps Mean?

Mbps is an acronym that stands for “Megabits Per Second.” Internet providers use this measurement to measure internet broadband speeds and, more specifically, the upload speeds and download speed of an internet connection. These data transfer speeds denote how quickly your device interacts with the internet over Wi-Fi, wireless data, or ethernet.

All internet users benefit from high-speed internet because it increases the response time and reactivity of websites. In most cases, Mbps is used when discussing a connection’s bandwidth.

If you’re wondering why web pages feel slow and clunky, your Mbps is likely too slow for the content you are trying to consume. If you want to check your bandwidth speed, take an online speed test to tell how quickly your internet is moving.

While connection speed isn’t always critical, it is extremely useful in several circumstances. For example, online games, transferring large files, and an HD video stream on Netflix or YouTube requires a high Mbps to function well. Even less demanding online practices, like light web browsing and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, benefit from good internet speed.

What Is a Megabit?

A megabit is most commonly used when discussing the speed of an internet connection. It details how fast a modem, router, or another internet-based device can access the internet through an external server.

The speed of the internet at large has increased over time, and you can also pay more to get a higher rate. Typical download speeds over the past few decades have ranged anywhere from one to hundreds or even thousands of Mbps.

Recently, high-speed internet connections have become more common. Gigabit internet speed, which is 1000 Mbps, has become more popular in areas with access to fiber, a high-speed form of internet connection. Internet speeds are still measured in Mbps for most people because that’s a much more attainable speed for traditional satellite internet.

What Is a Good Mbps?

Different Mbps speeds are helpful for people with additional needs. For example, if you are just using the internet for basic office tasks and social media, 10-25 Mbps download and upload speeds should be acceptable. However, this is just a minimum speed. You may still run into places on the internet where the rate is too slow, and you run into areas where your connection stutters.

If you want to increase your speed, looking into a 100 Mbps plan can help give you the kind of speed you need. This speed should cover your needs in most casual situations. This is generally seen as the best internet speed for general use. It’s a good balance between affordability and speed.

If you are using your internet to stream videos, play lots of online games, or do anything that involves transferring things of large file size, you might want to invest in gigabit internet. While this isn’t possible in all areas of the world, it is something to look into if you live in an urban environment.

It is also essential to recognize that Mbps isn’t the only speed metric to look at — a lot of internet lag comes from high latency and slow ping. You can solve these problems by reducing the number of programs used on your computer, moving closer to your router, and making sure your bandwidth is acceptable for what you need.

How Are Megabits and Megabytes Different?

One common mistake is mixing up bytes and bits. In most circumstances, bits are used to measure transfer speeds between data, and bytes are used to measure the storage space or piece of hardware.

A bit is one-eighth of a byte. That means that if you have gigabit internet, it will take eight seconds to transfer one gigabyte. Eight hundred kilobits is the same as 100 kilobytes. When you understand that difference, it makes it much easier to understand internet speeds as a whole.

Conclusion

In the modern world, advancing your technical vocabulary is crucial. While it may still seem like a lot of intense knowledge, knowing why your internet is slow and how you can fix it can help make it easier to do even basic tasks, like streaming a movie on Hulu!

If you’re looking to increase your knowledge of the English language and how it works in the modern world, take a look at our blog here at The Word Counter! We’re here to help people communicate better and boost their skills for interpersonal relationships. If there’s ever a phrase or term that you don’t understand, make sure to check out our website!

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Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.