Is 500 Mbps Internet Speed Really That Fast?

Previously, 10 minutes were required to download a minimum 3 MB song through a connection of speed which is not more than 50 Kbps. Things have changed drastically, and we are now reliant on 5G (in most countries). Besides cellular data, most houses now have a broadband internet connection with a download speed of 100-200 Mbps.

Thus, a download speed of 500 Mbps is enough when compared to the average household users can access daily. Is 500 Mbps fast, and how fast is it? We assume that you’re talking about the download speed and not the upload one. Well, a download speed of 500 Mbps allows you to download an HD-quality movie in a second. Or, you can seamlessly stream UHD videos on multiple devices with this amount of download speed.
 
However, despite this, it is always a good idea to run a speed test on your internet; a simple online search for “test my internet speed” is all it takes. If you find your internet is running at a lower speed than the optimum, then reading this article will be a perfect start and hopefully, you will learn exactly what your internet is capable of.

Well, a download speed of 500 Mbps allows you to download an HD-quality movie in a second. Or, you can seamlessly stream UHD videos on multiple devices with this amount of download speed.

Several renowned Internet Service Providers offer broadband plans that facilitate a download speed of up to 500 Mbps. For example, you can find your comfortable internet plans from Vodafone, Hyperoptic, Sky, BT, and Virgin Media. 

Let’s check out how fast a download speed of 500 Mbps is and how you can utilize it in this guide.

Helpful Guide: How to Get Better Internet Speed at Your Home

How Fast is 500 Mbps?

You have already learned the answer to the query: Is 500 Mbps fast? Yes, it’s pretty impressive in terms of download speed. The average global download speed is within 100 Mbps, and availing of a 500 Mbps download speed is literal freedom. 

Let’s check out the minimal internet download speeds for different internet activities, such as:

• You need 1-10 Mbps download speed for browsing
• Sending an email requires a download speed of up to 3Mbps
• A video call requires a download speed of 2 to 5 Mbps
• Streaming on OTT platforms needs 5 to 50 Mbps of download speed
• Gaming requires up to 10 Mbps download speed

All the above statistics are measured for a single user. Now, look into what a download speed of 500 Mbps can do:

Downloading

Originally, downloads were not a popular trend nowadays compared to what they used to be in earlier years. Most people don’t prefer downloading songs or movies onto their devices. 

However, you have to download applications, and other files shared on communication platforms. How much will Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 take to get downloaded on a Mac device with a download speed of 500 Mbps? Well, the file size of this application is 1.62 GB. And, it will take only 26 seconds to download.

Communication and Video Calls

Is 500 Mbps fast enough for an uninterrupted video calling experience? It’s more than enough if your whole family joins individual video calls on Zoom, Skype, and other video conferencing applications.

An audio call on WhatsApp or Skype demands a download speed of only 0.1 Mbps. On the other hand, a video call on similar platforms requires a download speed of up to 0.8 Mbps. If you turn it into an HD video call, then a 1.8 Mbps download speed will be needed. An HD group video call requires up to 3Mbps internet speed.

Therefore, you can place 300 video calls on Zoom with minimum bandwidth. If you elevate the HD quality, then a download speed of 500 Mbps will allow you to place 130 video calls. 

However, the upload speed plays an important role in video calls. An upload speed of 50 Mbps along with a 500 Mbps download speed is enough for 17 HD video calls on Zoom.

Gaming

Are you a gaming enthusiast? If yes, then you will find the 500 Mbps download speed fascinating. Simultaneous gaming is possible at this download speed. As you have noticed, online gaming requires up to 10 Mbps download speed. So, a 500 Mbps download speed is certainly more than what you need for gaming.

Moreover, you can download any AAA game without any stress when you can get a download speed of 500 Mbps. For instance, the download size of Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War is 164.9 GB. it will take only 47 minutes to download the game with a 500 Mbps download speed.

Streaming

Nobody can deny that a fast download speed is very much important to enjoy a smooth streaming experience. Otherwise, you will come across buffering, and it will turn out to be annoying. Almost every video streaming service offers HD and UHD content to watch. 

Surprisingly, a 500 Mbps download speed is great for a family that likes to stream UHD or 4K videos. Streaming videos in UHD quality requires a speed of 25 to 50 Mbps. Then, a download speed of 500 Mbps will allow you to stream UHD videos on 10-20 devices at the same time.

Similarly, it will be countless for 1080p or HD video streaming. However, the overall Wi-Fi connectivity might be a little slow as numerous users try streaming simultaneously.

Read Also: Residential Vs Business Internet – What’s the Difference?

What are Other Good Internet Speeds?

Is 500 Mbps fast? You have got a clear idea by now, and you’re aware of what you can do with a download speed of 500 Mbps. However, a 500 Mbps download speed is not feasible or accessible for everyone. The overall internet speed varies a lot from one place to another.

So, what are alternative internet speeds that will let you stream movies, play online games, and browse without buffering? 

Let’s learn about how much download speed is enough for categorized internet usage:

Downloading

The file sizes vary depending on the type of file or application you want to download. A minimum download speed of 25 Mbps is enough for a broadband internet connection. You can easily pull off files, apps, and games downloading with that much or more download speed.

Communication

Communicating with others over an audio or video call requires less download speed than you think. Overall, an internet connection with a download speed of up to 50 Mbps and an upload speed of up to 5 Mbps is more than enough.

Gaming

Online gaming over PCs and gaming consoles requires 3 to 8 Mbps download speed per device. We recommend a minimum of 25 Mbps download speed for a hassle-free gaming experience.

Streaming

If you prefer UHD video streaming, then you should opt for a minimum of 25 Mbps download speed. Otherwise, you might experience buffering issues. You can go for 50 Mbps speed if you have to stream UHD videos on multiple devices at the same time.

Check Also: Countries with the Fastest Internet Speed

Is 500 Mbps Fast?

It’s definitely very fast for regular household internet chores. It’s perfect for small workspaces, too. However, the cost of availing of a 500 Mbps download speed might vary from one location to another, and it might be pricey. Contact your Internet Service Provider if you want to switch your internet speed up to 500 Mbps or more than that.