Understanding Reliable High Speed Internet
Choosing The Best High-Speed Internet Solutions
Seamless Connectivity for Your Digital World
Fast Internet Speed:
Elevating Digital Entertainment
In today's digital era, an internet speed test is paramount for enhancing your entertainment and gaming experiences. Buffer-free streaming and seamless gaming are more than just conveniences; they're about elevating your digital activities to a new level.
Imagine settling in for a movie night, and just as the plot thickens, video buffering interrupts the experience. High-speed internet reliability ensures uninterrupted streaming, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the storyline and share those special moments with friends and family without frustrating interruptions.
Test Your Internet Speed with our free tool below


Gaming Advantage:
High-Speed Internet Reliability
Fast and dependable internet speed isn't just a luxury; it's a game-changer for gamers. It guarantees that your every move in the virtual world is executed without delay, leaving no room for adversaries to exploit lag to their advantage. It levels the playing field, allowing your skills to shine and ensuring that victory is determined by your prowess, not your internet connection.
In fact, whether you're immersed in cinematic experiences or battling it out in the gaming arena, a speedy and reliable internet connection opens up a world of possibilities for your digital adventures, enhancing your overall enjoyment to the fullest.
What Is A Good Internet Speed?
In the fast-paced digital era, 21st Century Communication offers top-notch internet speeds that cater to a multitude of needs. Evaluating your internet quality is a breeze here. Especially if you’re juggling multiple gadgets under one roof, a solid connection is an absolute must to dodge those frustrating interruptions.
So, what’s the FCC’s take on this? Well, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a dependable internet connection should be packing at least 5-25 Mbps for downloads and 3-7 Mbps for uploads. But hey, if your internet subscription boasts download speeds ranging from 40 to 100 Mbps, you’re in for an even better ride. For an internet experience that truly rocks, you’ll want a minimum of 100 Mbps for downloads and 10 Mbps for uploads. This kind of firepower lets you binge-watch Netflix, catch up on YouTube, nail those Zoom meetings, and dive into online gaming extravaganzas all at once.
Now, when it comes to internet speed, it’s a bit of a “one size doesn’t fit all” scenario. Some folks can make do with less Mbps, while others crave the need for speed. If 100 Mbps is still leaving you in the slow lane, take a peek at the nifty chart above to figure out what speed will supercharge your online world. Or, for a quick and precise answer, give the “Internet Speed Test” below a whirl to pinpoint your ideal download speed. Happy surfing!

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH 1 GB?
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Activity Per 1 GB
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Streaming Audio/Radio 14 hours
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Video Streaming (Standard) 1.5 hours
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Video Streaming (HD)30 minutes
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YouTube (HD)48 minutes
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Web Browsing 500 pages
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Social Media 1 hour
We know internet data is confusing.
In the current digital landscape, nearly every internet and mobile service provider is dishing out data-driven plans. It doesn’t matter if you’re hooked up to satellite, cable, fiber optics, or going wireless; what’s on your mind is how much data comes bundled with your internet subscription. Interestingly, many folks tend to lean towards grabbing the largest data package they can find, thinking they need all that data muscle.
Let’s dive deeper into the world of Gigabytes and put it into a language you can relate to. This explanation on data usage aims to demystify just how much data your household or business might actually require for a smooth internet experience at home.
When you call our specialists at 21st Century Communications, we make sure to match you with the exact internet service that meets your needs the most. By doing so, you can trust that our recommendations are looking out for your best interests.
Which Internet Speed Is Right For You?
Speed | Works for |
---|---|
0–5 Mbps | -Checking email -Streaming music to one device -Using Google or Bing -Streaming SD content to one device |
5–40 Mbps | -Streaming HD and FHD content to one device -Videoconferencing with Zoom -Gaming online on one device -Streaming games from Stadia |
40–100 Mbps | -Streaming UHD content to one device -Playing an online game -Downloading large files -Running multiple smart home devices |
100–500 Mbps | -Streaming UHD content to multiple devices -Gaming online on multiple devices -Participating in group Zoom meetings -Streaming very high quality audio |
500–1,000+ Mbps | -Livestreaming on Twitch or Facebook -Streaming 8K UHD content to one device |
What You should expect from different types of internet Speeds
Typical speed range | Max speeds up to | |
DSL | 10–25 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
Cable | 50–100 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps |
Fiber | 100+ Mbps | 2,000+ Mbps |
Satellite | 20–35 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
Fixed wireless | 5–25 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps |
test Your Internet Speed
Internet data usage is the measurement (expressed in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes or gigabytes) of the amount of data flowing through your computer and the Internet network for a defined period. These data are transferred in both directions: from the Internet network to your computer (download), and from your computer to the Internet network (upload).
Whether it’s surfing the Web, sending emails, online games, various downloads, or using network gaming consoles, any activity on the Internet generates usage.
FAQs
Video and gaming
HughesNet automatically adjusts data rates for streaming video to deliver great picture quality while using less of your data. Speeds will adjust to deliver a DVD quality experience while using less data – allowing you to watch 3 times more video. If you want to watch an HD video, you can opt-in/opt- out of this data saver feature temporarily or permanently. You may also simply snooze the video data saver for 4 hours.
Yes! Your service is automatically set to stream videos at DVD Quality (480p). At any time, you can opt-in/opt-out of video feature temporarily or permanently to watch in HD quality. Or you can simply snooze the Video Data Saver for 4 hours. It’s easy to switch to HD – simply use the Mobile App, visit HughesNet Support Center, or use the Usage Meter.
HughesNet service plans will work with many features offered through gaming services such as Xbox LIVE® and the PlayStation Network. You will be able to download games and game updates, and use the streaming video and music services offered through your gaming system, such as Netflix® and Hulu™. However, the majority of real-time, multi-player games that people play on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation will not work over any satellite Internet service. Strategy and “turn-based” games will work, but games requiring a rapid response such as “first-person shooters” will be unplayable.
Yes, “turn-based” games, such as casino games, and strategy games, such as chess, will work fine via HughesNet. Role-playing games and popular Facebook games generally work with HughesNet. You can use the Xbox and PlayStation consoles to download games to play offline, and use the streaming video and music services offered through your gaming system.
With satellite service, the data must travel up to the satellite and back (about 45,000 miles). This round trip adds about a half-second delay to the total time your computer takes to communicate with a Website or host server. That will prevent real-time, multi-player games from establishing or maintaining a reliable connection with the gaming server.
Many gaming systems are capable of connecting to video and music services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Pandora®. You will need to refer to your gaming system owner’s manual to determine which services are supported with your particular console. In addition, these are often subscription-based services that require you to have an account or monthly subscription package directly with that video or music service provider. It is also important to note that streaming services often use high amounts of data, so be sure to set up your free HughesNet Usage Meter to monitor your usage so you don’t unexpectedly exceed your monthly Service Plan Data.
Latency refers to the amount of time it takes a packet of data to travel across a network. With satellite service, that data must travel up to the satellite and back (about 45,000 miles). This round trip adds about a half-second delay to the total time your computer takes to communicate with a Website or host server. Therefore, time-sensitive applications that require fractions-of-a-second user inputs (such as multi-player “twitch” games or real-time equities trading) are not recommended with HughesNet.
COMPATIBILITY AND TECHNOLOGY
HughesNet lets you connect your computer to the Internet whether you are running a Windows or Macintosh operating system. HughesNet supports all version of Windows and Mac OS that are still supported by their respective manufacturers. Android and iOS mobile devices are also compatible with the Wi-Fi connection on your modem.
Yes, you can use Skype and Netflix with our HughesNet service, but be sure to continue to monitor your monthly Service Plan Data with the Usage Meter. It’s important to remember that your home is approximately 22,000 miles away from the HughesNet satellite in space. In order to minimize the delay that comes from having data travel back and forth over such a vast distance, your modem uses advanced acceleration techniques.
No, HughesNet is not available for mobile locations. To receive mobile high-speed Internet service, please contact the following Value Added Service provider: Mobil Satellite Technologies http://www.mobilsat.com 1-757-312-8300
We do not recommend using a VPN with your HughesNet service. Your home is approximately 22,000 miles away from the HughesNet satellite in space. In order to minimize the delay that comes from having data travel back and forth over such a vast distance, your modem uses advanced acceleration techniques. When you use a VPN connection that encrypts data, it interferes with your modem’s ability to compensate for the delay. Depending on the type of VPN used, you may see overall speed reduced by 50–70%. You can restore your connection to full speed by simply disabling your VPN client when your session is over. Note: HughesNet Technical Support does not provide help with configuring or troubleshooting problems associated with VPN clients.
When you enter a web address into your browser, it sends out a signal. With HughesNet satellite Internet, that signal goes into space, to HughesNet satellites. It is then sent to a center called a NOC, which seeks out the web address and sends it back to you through the satellite. This all happens in less than a second. Cable and DSL do this through wires and dialup does this through phone lines, but wires can’t reach everywhere and dialup is very slow.
The Internet is provided through a few different mediums. Some common ones include through telephone or cable lines, or through fiber optic lines. These start at a transmission center, and are linked to hubs, which then link to individual homes and businesses. HughesNet satellite Internet connects you directly to the transmission center, because it’s in space rather than on the ground. Using Ku-band radio waves, satellite Internet provides you with broadband Internet directly to your satellite by handling the communications between you and the Internet through space rather than wires or cables.
Today, everything is on the Internet. We bank in the Internet, and buy many of our products on the Internet. Applying for jobs, getting an education, or applying for government benefits are all done on the Internet. You can even visit a doctor over the Internet instead of having to go to an office that might be miles away. Having an Internet connection gives you a window to the world when you need it, no matter how far away you live from everywhere else. Satellite Internet from HughesNet makes you your own hub, without having to lay miles of line or wires. Whether you want to do business from a mountain cabin or buy supplies for your island getaway, satellite Internet can make it easier to enjoy living in the place you love!
Some people may be hesitant to subscribe to satellite Internet because of myths they’ve heard – or because they are unaware of the convenience and quality offered by high-speed satellite Internet providers.
Myth #1 – Satellite Internet service providers don’t reach rural areas.
Hughes offers satellite Internet everywhere in the contiguous United States, including rural areas. Hughes is a reliable satellite Internet provider that supplies high-speed Internet service in areas where there is slow or no high-speed options.
Myth #2 – The satellite dish must be attached to a roof.
Although 97% of the time satellite antennas are attached to the roof of a home, satellite Internet service providers don’t always require it. A certified HughesNet installer is able to determine the best location on (or near) your residence where the satellite dish should be mounted.
Myth #3 – Using Satellite Internet ties up your phone line.
HughesNet delivers two-way, high-speed Internet access over satellite – not over your telephone line – so you can talk on the phone and surf the Web at the same time. That can save you money by eliminating the need for a second phone line.
Myth #4 – Satellite Internet equipment is big and complicated.
The bulky eight-foot wide satellite dishes from the 1980s are a thing of the past, at least when it comes to the needs of most businesses. HughesNet customers only need a computer, a modem, two coaxial cables, and the satellite antenna. The antenna is about the same size as most ordinary satellite TV dishes.
Myth #5 – When it is cloudy, satellite Internet doesn’t work.
Your satellite Internet connection is not affected by most clouds. Satellite Internet from HughesNet is only affected by weather in extreme circumstances such as heavy storms or unusually dense clouds. If you have difficulties with your service, contact HughesNet Customer Care and Technical Support staff.
As a satellite ISP, Hughes strives to offer a reliable high-speed Internet option with a customer-friendly and easy-to-use service. This list of glossary terms is meant to familiarize you with satellite Internet and answer questions you may have.
56K line – Most dial-up Internet connections use a telephone line that allows transfer of data at 56,000 bits per second. 56K line refers to this type of Internet connection.
Bandwidth – This term describes the amount of data that can be sent through a particular Internet connection or network. High-bandwidth Internet connections (faster than 768 kilobits per second) are often called “high-speed Internet.”
Bit – A single binary value; a bit is the smallest piece of computer data. Many bits are needed to transmit even the simplest file.
Broadband – Broadband refers to an Internet connection with download speed in excess of 25Mbps.
Dial-up – This term refers to an Internet connection through a home telephone line.
DSL (digital subscriber line) – Allows user to access the Internet by way of existing telephone lines.
Ethernet – A commonly used local area network (LAN) that connects computers to one another and/or connects a computer to the Internet.
Firewall – Software that protects your computer network from outside users.
High-speed Internet option – An ISP (that is, satellite, cable, or DSL) offers an Internet service option that provides enough bandwidth for high-speed Internet use.
IP (Internet protocol) – Programming language that serves as the backbone of the
Internet. “IP” is short for “IP address.”
IP Address – Every computer has its own IP number, which acts as the computer’s identification. IP addresses are unique for each computer connected to the Internet. They are much like a physical address.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) – Each ISP offers service options to customers that range in bandwidth, type of connection, and other options such as email, storage space, and virus protection.
Kilobit – 1024 bits of data. Internet speeds are often measured in kilobits per second (kbps).
Megabit – One million bits
Modem – A modem connects your computer to a phone line, cable, or satellite. The modem acts as an interpreter between the two devices so that digital messages can be sent from your computer to another computer or to a satellite dish.
Satellite dish – An antenna that sends and receives data.
Satellite Internet – Using a modem, coaxial cables, and a satellite dish, computer users are able to access high-speed Internet.
Satellite ISP – An Internet Service Provider that offers a satellite Internet connection to homes or businesses. A satellite ISP is particularly beneficial for rural residents.
No. There is no phone line or dial-up data modem required to use your HughesNet service.