Internet speed HELP

[iowaguy]

Forgive me if my questions sound stupid but I'm relatively new to all this internet stuff. I don't know what is good internet speeds and I don't know what download and upload MB really mean. I don't have a whole lot of options for internet in*the rural area that I live in. I'm hoping you guys can assist me... please and thank you :) :nod:

Currently, I have a DSL (phone line) internet plan of the following:

12 MB download / 6MB upload = $39.95 a month

I have since been looking to switch my internet provider to a business that uses wireless technology to transmit its internet to its customers by a receiver. This is NOT A SATELLITE based service but rather they transmit their internet signal by way of transmission equipment on several different grain elevators, water towers, and tall buildings, located in more than 25 communities in the area.

Their internet plans include the following:

10 MB download / 2 MB upload = $45.00 a month
25 MB download / 5 MB upload = $55.00 a month
50 MB download / 10 MB upload = $65.00 a month

I am looking for the fastest internet as possible of the options that I have listed. Could you guys be so kind as to guide me to the fastest internet option? And I'm older so could you also please give me a short explanation? :D ;)

Thanks so much in advance for any help in this matter.

[Philip]

Welcome to SG :)

The "MB" in those internet speed options stands for "Megabits per second". The more common abbreviation for this is "Mbps". It is common for residential connections to have faster "download" speeds than "upload", as you are getting stuff (downloading) from the internet more than sending stuff (uploading).

Obviously the fastest one would be the "50 MB download / 10 MB upload" , however, you may want to try the "25 MB download / 5 MB upload" and change later. Note that all internet providers do not guarantee residential speeds, they quote them "Up to .... speed". Meaning that in the evening when everyone is watching videos online it may slow down.


For Video streaming on Youtube, Netflix, etc. you need about 5+ Mbps or more, they recommend 10 Mbps for Netflix. With faster speeds, all web pages, email and other content will load a bit faster too, as they all have grown bigger over the years. The faster speeds would also help if you have multiple clients using the internet at home at the same time.

DSL speed gets degraded over long distances, the wireless internet provider may be a good option to try.

I hope this helps :)