How much internet speed do you need?
Take our free quiz to see how much internet speed is right for you:
What is a good internet speed?
Internet speed | How fast is this? | What you can do |
---|---|---|
0–5 Mbps | Very slow | Send emails, search on Google, stream video in SD on one device |
5–40 Mbps | Slow to moderate | Stream video in HD on three or four devices, play online games |
40–100 Mbps | Moderate to fast | Stream easily on multiple devices in HD or 4K, download big files quickly, run several smart devices |
100–500 Mbps | Very fast | Stream in 4K on more than five devices simultaneously, download massive files quickly, host a livestream |
500–1,000+ Mbps | Extremely fast | Stream in 4K on 10+ devices, run 10+ smart-home devices at a time, do basically anything on lots of devices |
1,200–5,000 Mbps | Faster than you need | Operate a bitcoin-mining farm with two dozen computers, watch Frozen in 4K on 100 devices at the same time |
About our Optimum internet speed test
The Optimum internet speed measures three things:
Download speed: The speed at which your device pulls data from the internet. Usually measured in Mbps or Gbps.
Upload speed: The speed at which your device sends data to the internet. Usually measured in Mbps or Gbps.
Latency (Ping): The time (measured in milliseconds) it takes for a signal to travel from your device to an internet server and back. Lower latency means your connection has a better response time for activities like gaming and livestreams.
How does the Optimum internet speed test work?
First, the test client on your device determines your location and finds the closest server. It then sends a tiny bit of data to the remote server, which sends a bit of data back to the client. The client records the amount of time the exchange used and then repeats the test a few more times. The test ends, and the client presents the lowest roundtrip measurement in milliseconds. This is your latency.
Next, the client establishes multiple connections (called threads) to the remote server and requests test data. As the client downloads this data, it measures the speed and makes adjustments as necessary—like opening more threads and requesting more data—to maximize the full bandwidth of your internet connection. The test ends at the predetermined time, and the client presents your current download bandwidth in megabits per second.
The upload test works in reverse: the client sends test data to the server and takes measurements. The test ends at the predetermined time, and the client presents your current upload bandwidth in megabits per second.
Optimum internet speed FAQ
How fast are Optimum internet speeds?
Optimum provides cable internet with speeds up to 940 Mbps in most of its coverage area. The former Suddenlink network is mainly known for rural cable internet, so you may find slower plans in those areas than what we list above.
Optimum provides fiber internet too, mainly in the New York tri-state area. The fastest fiber is 940 Mbps in most areas, while its new 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps plans are hard to come by.
How do I get faster internet?
You can get faster internet by upgrading your internet plan. If you can’t upgrade your current speeds and feel stuck with bad service, you can also switch to a new provider.
Run a search with your zip code below to see what kinds of speeds you can get in your area.
Is cable better than fiber?
Fiber internet provides equal upload and download speeds, whereas cable internet does not. Plus, you can get fiber plans faster than 1 Gbps—Optimum’s cable internet maxes out at 940 Mbps.
Where can I get Optimum’s fastest fiber internet?
Optimum introduced its 5 Gig Fiber Internet and 2 Gig Fiber Internet plans in May 2022. Parent company Altice USA said these two plans are available now in “parts of Long Island” and will become available across the entire New York tri-state area by the end of 2022.1
Disclaimers
AT&T
- for 12 mos, plus taxes & equip. fee. Incl 1TB data/mo., overage chrgs apply
- for 12 mos, plus taxes. Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Call or go to att.com/internet to see if you qualify.
- Price after $5/mo. Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
- Price after $5/mo. Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed.
- Price after $5/mo. Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For 5GIG speed, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
Verizon
- w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.
- w/ Auto Pay and select 5G mobile plans. Available in select areas.
Sources
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- Altice USA, “Optimum Introduces 5 Gig Fiber Internet, Delivering the Fastest Fiber Internet Speeds in the New York Tri-State Area,” May 18, 2022. Accessed August 10, 2022.