2 min read10G is the newest, fastest, and most secure cable internet technology. Companies are rolling out 10G internet in certain markets this year, and by 2025, millions of people in the US should be connected with the technology.
What’s so special about 10G? Well, first and foremost, it’s about speed. 10G stands for 10 gigabits, which is really fast. But it’s also about symmetrical upload speeds, security, and wireless technology. We’ll go over everything you need to know about 10G here.
Let’s get down into the nitty gritty details here. What separates 10G internet from other forms of internet, like fiber internet and traditional cable internet?
While fiber internet offers the fastest and most reliable internet on the market right now, 10G is trying to change that. 10G internet will actually use existing cable internet infrastructure that exists across the country. This way, companies like Spectrum and Cox will be able to up their customers' speed, security, and reliability without going in and digging new trenches or installing new wires.
Traditional cable internet companies are using a variety of technologies to upgrade to 10G. They are upgrading the DOCSIS standard in their cable infrastructure from 3.1 to 4.0, which increases the capacity for upload (or upstream) speeds to match download speeds.
Also, some companies are changing out parts of their network to include hollow-core fiber-optic cables that will reduce latency and increase bandwidth.
You’ve probably heard of 5G technology by now. 5G mobile networks offer unprecedented speeds for cell phone users and even for home internet customers.
While it might sound like 10G is an evolution of 5G, it actually isn’t. 5G stands for “fifth generation” and it is still the fastest mobile network technology around. 10G stands for “10 gigabits,'' and it’s for home and business internet, rather than mobile phones.
The fastest internet providers on the market right now tend to offer home internet packages that range from about 50 Mbps to around 1 Gbps (some go up to 2 or 3 Gbps, but that’s only in limited areas). 10G internet aims to go much faster than that.
While the name 10G stands for 10 gigabits, that may be a bit misleading. It’s kind of like when they say you can get “bottomless” mimosas at brunch. You can’t really have unlimited mimosas (eventually you’ll get sick or the restaurant will run out). The name is aspirational, rather than descriptive.
10G internet speeds are likely to be around 3–8+ gigabits per second, rather than 10 Gbps. But, honestly, that’s more than literally anyone needs for their home internet. You could have hundreds of devices running high-demand online games, streaming HD video, and uploading huge files with those speeds and still have plenty of bandwidth left over.
We don’t have an exact date to put down in your calendar, but it should be soon. Some companies claim that it will begin rolling out 10G-like, multigigabit symmetrical cable internet to customers this year and that it will have over 50 million households connected to a 10G network by 2025.
Comcast Xfinity is probably the company that’s most closely associated with the push for 10G internet. But most major cable internet companies, like Cox and Spectrum, should also have 10G networks in the future.
While 10G internet aspires to have speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, the technology is more likely to give users an actual speed of 3–8 Gbps symmetrical (both download and upload) speeds, which is honestly more than almost anyone could use.
Stay updated on the latest products and services anytime, anywhere.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
