Ting’s ultimate guide: all about internet lingo

Common internet terminology explained

• Fiber vs. cable

  

  Fiber internet offers lightning-fast speeds and greater reliability by sending light signals through glass fibers, ensuring a steady connection. In contrast, cable internet uses coaxial cables (which are transmission lines) resulting in slower speeds during times when it's being used by many people at once. And so with fiber, you get smoother streaming, faster downloads and a more dependable connection.

• Gigabit vs. megabit

  

  Both terms measure data transfer speeds, but the scale makes all the difference. A gigabit is a thousand times faster than a megabit. Gigabit internet, sometimes represented as Gbps (gigabits per second), is equal to 1,000 megabits. 

  While Mbps (megabits per second) is still commonly used to describe internet speeds, Gbps has become increasingly popular, especially when it comes to fiber internet.

  • Bonus fact: Beware of "G" (the fixed wireless option), as opposed to Gbps/Gigabit.
    
    Always check the fine print to know if you're getting fiber, cable or fixed wireless (e.g. 5G). Fixed wireless cannot match the speed of fiber no matter how many numbers it flaunts. Watch out for other internet providers who might use this term to confuse you.
• Download speed

  

  The speed at which you can receive data, which includes viewing websites and streaming music. Faster speeds let you stream high-quality media with fewer interruptions.

• Upload speed

  

  The speed at which you can send data, like photos or documents. This includes posting videos online and transmitting your side of a video call—they all benefit from fast upload speeds.