6/8/2021: The great gigabit internet myth

Who needs gigabit internet, anyway?

Plus: Privacy upgrades for AirTags, a local network speed test, and early Prime Day deals

Jared Newman

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June 8, 2021

If you ever need a textbook example of misleading marketing, just look at what some internet providers are saying about gigabit internet service.

Cable companies would have you believe that speeds upwards of 1 Gbps are essential for modern internet use. A gigabit connection “lets you multitask,” Cox’s website proclaims, suggesting that it’s important 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.”