If you ever want a textbook instance of deceptive advertising, simply have a look at what some web suppliers are saying about gigabit web service.

Cable firms would have you ever consider that speeds upwards of 1 Gbps are important for contemporary web use. A gigabit connection “lets you multitask,” Cox’s website proclaims, suggesting that it’s vital for “scrolling through your Instagram feed on your phone while simultaneously streaming Netflix and surfing Amazon Prime on your laptop.” Likewise, Comcast says to consider gigabit speeds if “your family loves to stream movies and TV while playing bandwidth-hungry games and downloading the latest apps on your smartphone.”

For the sake of holding this text family-friendly, the time period I’ll use for these claims is “exaggeration.” Gigabit speeds are overkill for the overwhelming majority of web customers, however with extra folks ditching cable TV and girding their houses for distant work, web suppliers have discovered a golden alternative to push pointless upgrades with fatter revenue margins. So it’s no shock that they’re capitalizing on gigabit web confusion.

Why gigabit web could also be overkill

Consider the details:

• Netflix recommends obtain speeds of 25 Mbps for 4K HDR video. That means you’d want 40 simultaneous streams—10 instances greater than what Netflix’s 4K plan even permits—to make full use of a gigabit connection.
• Zoom recommends speeds of three.8 Mbps for 1080p videoconferencing. Bandwidth would solely turn into an issue should you had greater than 263 video calls going on the identical time.
• Tidal reviews a most bitrate of 9216 Kbps for grasp high quality streaming audio. You’d should stream on greater than 108 gadgets at a time to expire of bandwidth on a gigabit connection.

Gigabit web might require further {hardware} funding as effectively. If you could have your individual cable modem, you’ll need one with DOCSIS 3.1 support to get gigabit speeds from most suppliers. Some routers—together with older Eero models—don’t help gigabit speeds both.

Anecdotally, I’ve been fairly happy with 200 Mbps speeds from Spectrum. While negotiating a cheaper price from the corporate a pair years in the past, I even declined their provide for a “free” 400 Mbps improve as a result of I didn’t wish to get smacked with a steep worth hike as soon as that promo charge expired.

I’m scripting this as a result of I’ve heard from too many of us who’ve been led to consider that quicker speeds will eradicate buffering and different connection issues. Fact is, more often than not, these points may be solved with the identical speeds on a better Wi-Fi router.

All that stated, there are some eventualities the place gigabit web service is sensible. If you’re going to spend additional, it ought to be for one of some particular causes:

Gigabit justification 1: You want quicker add speeds

Oddly sufficient, the most important purpose to pay for gigabit web has nothing to do gigabit speeds. Instead, you may want a quicker cable web plan simply to get higher add speeds for backing up information or taking part in video calls. While add speeds can fluctuate by cable web supplier, they are typically a lot slower than what you get for obtain speeds, resulting in extra noticeable bottlenecks.

With Comcast, as an illustration, a plan with 200 Mbps obtain speeds solely affords add speeds of 10 Mbps. Just to double these add speeds to twenty Mbps, you’d must improve to way more costly gigabit plan.

Unfortunately, it is a frequent downside amongst cable suppliers due to the way they’ve built their networks, so that you’ll discover related “asymmetric” speeds on Spectrum and Cox as effectively. (They additionally take pains to hide this pitiful fact from new customers.)

But whilst a ticket to quicker uploads, gigabit service may nonetheless be extreme. I’ve discovered that Spectrum’s 10 Mbps add speeds have been nice for 2 simultaneous Zoom classes. And you probably have a fiber-optic web supplier in your space, this problem most likely doesn’t apply. Verizon and AT&T each provide equal obtain and add speeds for his or her fiber service, so you may safely stick to sub-gigabit plans.

Gigabit justification 2: You’ve received a specialised use case in thoughts

To see if I used to be lacking something, I just lately requested people on Twitter what precise use circumstances existed for gigabit web service, and I received just a few attention-grabbing responses.

KTLA tech reporter RIch DeMuro said he has to switch big video information every day for his broadcast TV job, so the gigabit speeds turn out to be useful. Consumer Reports’ Nicholas De Leon said he likes having the ability to obtain PC and console video games quicker. A pc marketing consultant named “Max” said he wants the speeds to again up his purchasers’ computer systems each night time.

Those all sound like legit use circumstances, however they’re additionally fairly particular. They additionally assume that no matter server you’re contacting helps gigabit speeds as effectively, which isn’t all the time the case. (This turns into painfully clear each time my PlayStation 4 wants a big software program replace.)

Gigabit justification 3: You need the bragging rights

Even should you can’t consider a specific use for gigabit web, perhaps you simply need the satisfaction that comes from having the fattest information pipe obtainable. That method, if any high-bandwidth purposes do come round, you’ll be well-prepared, and on some stage you’re establishing a marketplace for these use circumstances within the first place.

As a tech fanatic myself, I’m not going to disclaim anybody’s proper to technological extra. Just don’t have any illusions about what, precisely, you’re paying for.

This column initially appeared in Jared’s Advisorator e-newsletter. Sign up to get tech suggestions in your inbox each week.