Gigabit Internet

It goes without saying, you cannot get gigabit Internet if it is not available in your area. But, if it is, like the recently added and ongoing fiber infrastructure in Rancho Santa Fe, there are some things you should know. That is, if you want to take advantage of what this type of Internet service offers. First, the quality of the network matters. So, if your ISP’s central office cannot support the bandwidth to all of the gigabit connections, everyone will see slower speeds during peak time usage. Although, most won’t even notice a difference unless they are heavy users.

Although it varies by ISPs, an Internet service plan can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. A symmetrical connection is just as it sounds; a connection with equal download and upload speeds. An asymmetrical connection, on the other hand, does not have equal speeds and therefore can create something called bufferbloat. When this happens, even very high-speed networks can become practically unusable. Additionally, actual data throughput will be a bit smaller since 1 billion bits of information includes overhead bits. This includes preamble, inter-frame gaps and TCP.

To take advantage of gigabit Internet speeds, good quality wiring is essential. To achieve the fastest speeds possible, the most important thing you can do is use the right ethernet wiring to connect your devices to your router. Cat 7a cables are the latest to hit the networking market and enable speeds of up 10Gbps. Additionally, Cat 5e supports up to up to 1,000 Mbps but Cat 6a supports ten times that. So, to be clear, all three types will work, but if you want to future-proof your setup, cat 7a cables are the best. For more on home wiring, read our article on home wiring basics.

Important to make note of: don’t run your data cabling parallel to power lines.

Today, everything from thermostats and door locks, to smart TVs, light switches, and video doorbells demand wireless access. So, if you must use WiFi, make sure to pick a clear channel and make sure your computer is using the latest WiFi standards. But keep in mind, wired connections are generally better for gigabit speeds because of their reliability and lack of interference. So, if you want take advantage of gigabit Internet, you’ll need the right wired connections (wireless access points, switches and router). Below we list some additional tips to follow to help you take advantage of gigabit Internet.

How To Take Advantage Of Gigabit Internet:

• Make sure your devices support the latest WiFi standards
• Replace/Upgrade your ethernet cables if necessary 
• Make sure your router supports gigabit speeds over the ports in the back
• Use a hardwired connection where available such as audio visual equipment etc. 
• Make sure your WiFi channel is clear and your wireless access points are nearby
• Make sure your router’s firmware is up to date
• Call a certified whole house WiFi specialist like Shultz Audio Video to do the work for you