Advice please? Is 1 gig internet worth it?

[Easterncedar]

The guy trying to sell me a on a new provider says a 500 mbs service is really all I need, since I just use it for streaming TV and light internet use. No gaming. Just I person, with occasional guests with kids. I have had 1 gig for a couple of years.

Downgrading would save me $360 a year.

Any thoughts welcome! Thanks

[jmbar2]

1. Check out PCs for People, a nonprofit that provides cheap internet for lower income folks

You don't have to be super poor to qualify. I pay $15/month for unlimited internet, no contracts, no periodic price bumps. Outstanding service, and very reliable.

To get started, you make a one-time purchase of a hotspot device for around $60. It becomes your own personal internet connection that you can take with you anywhere. I have used mine for years and it is very reliable.

Good luck!
https://www.pcsforpeople.org/internet/internet/

[Easterncedar]

9. Interesting! Good to know about

[Sector 001]

15. Download speeds are OK.

But upload speeds are pretty much nonexistent, comparable to dial up.

[jmbar2]

16. Today, my download speed is 33.89 mbps and my upload is 18.70

I don't send a lot of big files, so have never noticed any problems.

[Sector 001]

17. Today is a good day for T-Mobile 5G.

The upload speeds are usually terrible, but today they are better than my Xfinity upload speed.

[jmbar2]

18. I didn't realize how much slower mine is than regular internet

I run a LOT of apps all at once and never have any lags. But then, I'm not a gamer which I assume is why such high speeds are necessary.

[canetoad]

2. Assuming you're talking speed

And not downloads. I can't see why you wouldn't be able to start on the 500mbps and if you found it insufficient, pay to go to the next higher speed. It's not as if you'd be downgrading. Savings are too good not to try.

[msongs]

5. do yu upload? higher speeds more important to upload video, not so much to download IMO

I have 400 down and never nay problems related to speed. only 11 up so putting vids on youtube is a bit tedious but then Ive got all day lol

[Easterncedar]

7. Thanks. I don't upload. That's helpful

[Easterncedar]

6. Thanks. If I changed, and 500 was too slow, the new provider's 1 gig is more than my current cost

And I couldn't return to my current deal with the provider I have now.

It's a bit of a gamble and I am not much of a risk taker!

[Alephy]

3. I did that...

I downgraded from 1 gig to 500mb about a year ago. I am with Spectrum/Charter.

Like you, streaming and Internet use. Not a gamer.

I also work from home three times a week so I am connected to my work network all day.

500mbs works fine for me.

[Easterncedar]

8. Thanks!

[Rver]

4. My plan is

50 Mbps and we do the same thing.
my .02

[hunter]

14. Netflix runs fine on an inexpensive 30 Mbps connection and 1080p television.

That's my rule of thumb for personal use.

Work can be another story.

When I first signed on to DU I'd get 28.8 kbit/s on my dial-up modem... on a good day.

The first modem I ever bought did 300 bits/s. That's slow enough to read the text as it's downloaded. The credits of most movies roll by faster than that.

[Easterncedar]

10. I appreciate the quick replies

DUers are the best! Thanks!

[jmbar2]

13. I checked my speed after seeing the other suggestions

400mbps. I generally run two live daytrading apps, internet, and youtube all day at the same time with no problem.

[Tasmanian Devil]

11. 500 is plenty for one person

Last edited Sat Jul 11, 2026, 03:55 AM - Edit history (1)

We've got maybe 50 mbit -- split across two ISP's -- and it's shared amongst all in our household ... 5 people at last count. At least all the pets don't watch much youtube.

If you're flush with cash and hate waiting for internet then a gig would be nice, but that doesn't sound like your situation!

[Easterncedar]

12. Thanks. I do appreciate your helpful advice!