What can I do with Gigabit broadband speeds?

All that data — a billion bits per second — means that you can do everything you already do online, but a lot more of it and at a faster pace. All of your usual web browsing and streaming will be supported, but with much higher speeds and far less congestion on your home network. That said, there are several specific uses that benefit dramatically from the new fat pipe of data that gigabit connectivity offers.

Streaming video:All that bandwidth means lag-free Netflix, even when you’re watching different shows on different devices at once. But the real improvement is that4K streamingwhich uses four to five times as much data as a 1080p stream, will be just as fast, without the interminable loading and buffer times you may experience on standard broadband.

Online gaming:Anyone who has ever lost a match due to a laggy connection will appreciate the switch to gigabit speeds. With matching up/down speeds, you’ll never again need to worry about slow ping rates and spotty connections.

Immersive media:Ultra HD streaming is just the tip of the iceberg, as faster upload and download speeds make more immersive media (like 360-degree video andVR) more accessible.

Data backup:Traditionally, backing up data has been centred around local storage, like external hard drives, especially for data-heavy uses like videos. With the move to gigabit speeds, expect more cloud capability and backups that you can access anywhere, anytime.

Multiple users:Finally, the biggest reason to switch to gigabit speed isn’t to satisfy one prolific data hog, but rather several users. A family of four can max out a broadband connection quite easily with little more than a movie marathon and a round of Grand Theft Auto online, but gigabit speeds promise to support far more data simultaneously, making it possible to stream music in the kitchen, 4K video in the living room and a game in the kids’ rooms without a hiccup.