Is 50 Mbps a good internet speed? A comprehensive guide based on user experiences

“Is 50 Mbps fast enough?”

There’s a reason why this is one of the most common questions we hear from customers when selecting a plan. If you’re not especially techie, looking at the different speeds when selecting an internet plan can leave you scratching your head. 

In today’s world, a good internet speed can be the difference between moving quickly through your day and being endlessly frustrated by lag and buffering. At MCSnet, we know that matching you up with the right internet speed for your needs is crucial and we’re happy to help.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how much speed is required for various online activities, how to determine your own speed needs, how to test your current speeds, what may be slowing your internet down, and even provide some plan options.

Let’s get started with a quick dive into 50 Mbps and what that means for internet speed.

How fast is 50 Mbps?

If you’re asking, “What is Mbps and why does it matter?”, we’ll break it down for you. 

Mbps means megabits per second, which is how we quantify how much data your internet connection can transfer to your device in one second. This unit of measurement is an industry standard for describing the speed you can expect in an internet plan for uploading and downloading content. 

Megabit (written as Mb) is commonly confused with megabyte ( written as MB), which is a different measurement (1 megabyte = 8 megabits). Also, Mbps is megabits per second, while MBps is megabytes per second. For a more in-depth explanation, we break it down further here.

When thinking about 50 Mbps in terms of speed, you can get a general idea of how fast a download will take if you know its size. Here is a quick formula to determine download and upload speed:

Size [MB] / Speed [MBps*] = Time [seconds]

*50 Mbps (megabits per second) is equal to 6.25 MBps (megabytes per second)

For example, if you’re downloading music that is 100 MB (megabytes) in size, at 50 megabits per second (or 6.25 megabytes per second), you could figure that out using the formula:

100 MB / 6.25 MBps = 16 seconds

So, this file will take about 16 seconds to download or upload at 50 Mbps. 

Of course, this isn’t a perfect science. Often, we have other factors at play that can impact our internet speed. We’ll get into more detail on this next.

Internet speed: not as simple as Mbps

Often, slow internet speeds are the result of a number of factors that have nothing to do with your internet plan. Here are some common ones:

Network congestion

You may already know that running multiple devices at once can have a significant impact on your internet speed. But did you know that your network may be slowed down before the internet even reaches your home? 

Just like rush hour traffic, your internet can experience its own version of congestion (commonly referred to as peak-time lag). This is the result of numerous users across your provider’s network drawing bandwidth at the same time, commonly during evening hours.

At MCSnet, we use a private network specifically designed for rural Alberta, so our customers experience the best possible speeds. Keep in mind that we still connect to the main internet exchange, but by using dedicated Google and Netflix servers, for example, your connection to these services isn’t going all the way to the main Seattle internet exchange and back.

Quality of cables

Since the advent of Wi-Fi, several of us think cables are a thing of the past. But our cables that carry data to and around our home can significantly influence the speed and quality of our connection. 

Our advice? Don’t cheap out on ethernet cables, and ensure your cables can support the speeds you need. Secondly, make sure your ethernet cables are set up correctly for faster internet.

Device capability

If you’re still using the same devices you have for years, it may be time to upgrade – especially if you have a new high-speed internet plan. Your device’s processor might not be able to handle your internet speeds.

Routers are another example. Older routers weren’t built for the internet speeds of today and can throttle high speeds, turning your waterfall of data into just a trickle.

If you’re a customer of ours, don’t worry – we ensure our customers are always using the right router for their plan.

Weather and wireless download speed

All networks, especially space-based satellite networks, can suffer from network slowness during heavy precipitation/storms, extreme temperatures, wind, and more. Ensure that your provider has the infrastructure built for the rough and extreme conditions found in rural Alberta.

You should now have a general understanding of what Mbps means, how to figure out speeds based on file size, and the barriers that may stand in your way of experiencing your full network speeds. Now, let’s get into the good stuff: will 50 Mbps cut it for your lifestyle?

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Is 50 Mbps good for streaming and gaming?

When it comes to selecting the right internet speeds, two bandwidth-heavy activities stand out among the rest: modern streaming and gaming. If you’ve ever had a movie marathon interrupted by buffering, or a high score opportunity cut short by lag, you understand the frustration of internet speeds that just can’t keep up with your lifestyle.

To begin, let’s look at streaming and how 50 Mbps stacks up for your next Netflix binge:

Streaming internet in 4K

Not that long ago, 1080p was the gold standard for streaming movies and TV. Today, we are able to stream in even better clarity in 4K (which requires five times more data than 1080p!), and as of very recently, 8K is quickly taking the world by storm. 

As the world of graphics and clarity advances quickly, so must our internet to transmit the data required for crisp, high-definition imagery. 

Is 50 Mbps enough?

Streaming in 4K requires about 25 Mbps of speed (Consumer Reports, 2019)  for consistent streaming and no buffering. This gives you a bit of wiggle room to use other devices at the same time, but if you have several movie buffs or YouTube lovers in your household streaming in 4K at once, you may experience some buffering and slowness. If this is the case, a plan with higher Mbps is best for you.

Gaming at the speed of light

Similar to the advancements in streaming TV and movies, upgraded gaming systems with advanced graphics and immersive experiences require significantly more bandwidth than gaming consoles even just a few years ago. When it comes to gaming, speed is crucial, but a reliable connection is the real game-changer.

Additionally, games tend to require frequent updates to patch any bugs or glitches. When you have sufficient bandwidth, these updates are quick and painless. But on slower plans, these updates can take a long time and seriously impact your gaming experience.

Is 50 Mbps enough?

If you enjoy online, browser-based, or app-based games, 50 Mbps should be plenty to support your gaming – a 5 Mbps speed should be all you need per game.

However, if you are using high-end gaming consoles, especially with virtual reality immersive games, you will need a lot more in terms of bandwidth. As a general rule, anything less than 25 Mbps (Stream Scheme, 2023) and you run the risk of lag. 

If you live in a household where several devices are accessing the internet at once, 50 Mbps may be cutting your bandwidth a bit close. If you have another gamer or movie streamer using the internet at the same time, you definitely should explore plans with bandwidth higher than 50 Mbps.

Latency and gaming

Another factor to consider when selecting a plan as a gamer is latency. Latency, or “ping”, is crucial for a responsive gaming experience. At MCSnet, our network is among the lowest for latency (a good thing for gamers!), so you know that your gaming experience is seamless.

For the majority of streamers and gamers, a 50 Mbps plan should be plenty for a seamless experience. This speed supports the demands of these high-bandwidth activities while offering the reliability of direct-to-home fiber optic connection. 

If your network needs to support more than one high-bandwidth activity at once, it may be a good idea to invest in a higher bandwidth plan to ensure your activities are seamless. You can review our residential plans here.

Streaming and gaming are just two high-bandwidth activities to consider when selecting the right plan for you. Next, we’ll get into the world of downloading, uploading, and additional devices.

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Downloading and uploading on 50 Mbps

These days, with the ease of posting on social media and downloading recipes for dinner, we are all actively downloading and uploading content constantly. 

As more of us work from home than ever, hefty file downloads and video conferences can require a large chunk of our bandwidth. Downloading or uploading large files on a slow internet plan can feel like an eternity. 

So how does 50 Mbps stack up for these daily activities? The answer: as always, it depends.

What’s the difference between downloading and uploading?

Before we get into some time estimates, we’ll begin by explaining the difference between downloading and uploading. While downloading brings content to your device from the internet, uploading sends data from your device out into the internet. 

Streaming a movie is a form of downloading since the movie is being brought to your device. Sending an e-mail is a form of uploading since you’re sending data out from your device into the internet. Video conferencing uses both downloading and uploading, since you’re viewing others and they’re viewing you simultaneously.

When selecting an internet plan, be aware of both the download and upload speeds, as they can often be different.

How fast is 50 Mbps for downloading and uploading?

Here are some time estimates for common tasks on a 50 Mbps plan. It’s important to note that, again, these estimates assume that no other devices are using the internet, so they can vary greatly.

If you want faster speeds, doubling your 50 Mbps plan to 100 Mbps will cut these times in half.

Overall, if you’re an average user with small-to-moderate downloads and uploads, 50 Mbps should be plenty for your needs. If you have above-average download needs working with large files (like a photographer or graphic designer), you may want to opt for higher bandwidth. 

Additionally, if there are several users in your household, you also may want the extra speed on your plan. We’ll explain more about that next.

How many people can use 50 Mbps?

While a 50 Mbps plan should provide a solid foundation for multiple users to engage in various online activities at the same time, it depends on how much bandwidth is being used at once. Understandably, a household with multiple devices streaming or gaming at once can seriously impact speed and experience! 

Here is how a 50 Mbps plan would perform in the following scenarios: 

Speed aside – how much data do I need?

When it comes to determining your specific data needs, we can help. We break it down for you in our blog post how much internet you need.

If you need a plan that can keep up with your heaviest bandwidth demands, we have a variety of residential plans perfect for all different types of users. Review our internet plans here.

Now that you’ve determined whether (or not!) a 50 Mbps plan is right for you, we’ll now get into some different options for 50 Mbps plans from internet service providers (ISPs)  serving rural Alberta. 

Alberta internet providers offering 50 Mbps

We know that when it comes to rural internet, reliability is just as important as speed. We’ve highlighted ISPs that are known for reliability, ensuring that you’re sticking with a provider that will give you a great experience and quickly rectify any outages.

	Plan	Speed	Pricing	Notes
MCSnet	Residential Ultra	Up to 100 Mbps download, 25 Mbps upload 600 GB/mo cap	$79.95/mo, free installation on a 2-year term	Wide coverage for rural communities around Edmonton
Starlink	Standard plan	Ranges from 25-100 Mbps, unlimited data	$140/month, $759 for hardware, DIY installation	Satellite offers coverage to most rural areasRequires DIY installation for the satellite dish
TELUS	SmartHub 50	50 Mbps, Upload speed unavailable, 500 GB cap	$109/mo on a 2-year plan	Certain areas eligible
Xplore	Satellite 50/350	50 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload, 350 GB cap	$79.99/mo for the first year, then $109.99/mo. +$59 installation fee	Satellite offers coverage to most rural areas

Of course, there are a wide variety of plans within these and other ISPs that offer higher speeds in rural Alberta, so we encourage you to use this information as a starting point and conduct your own research. When selecting an ISP, it’s important to select one that is credible and has a high overall customer satisfaction rating.

Before making the leap and signing up for a new plan, we just want to touch on a couple of key considerations to help you make your decision.

Testing your internet speeds

Before making the switch to a different ISP or plan, you can perform an internet speed test to see what speeds you’re currently working with. Regularly checking your internet speed is a good practice to ensure you’re receiving the service you’re subscribed to. Follow the steps below or learn more about how to test your internet speed here.

After completing your test, you’ll notice metrics about your connection, but remember, our plans are centered around traffic caps, not specific speed rates. We strive to provide the best possible speed by optimizing your connection to the nearest tower. While speed readings may vary, they are influenced by factors like network congestion, server distance, and background device activity.

Additionally, you’ll see a metric known as Latency or Ping. This is crucial as it indicates the responsiveness of your connection, with lower numbers being preferable. Ideally, your latency should be between 20-40 milliseconds (ms), ensuring a smoother, more efficient online experience.

If your internet speed is strong, but you’re experiencing slowness that seems out of character for your activities, you may want to consider an internet speed booster before switching to another plan (learn more here).

Once you have an understanding of your download speeds, upload speeds, and latency, you can head into the next phase of the decision to switch.

Deciding to switch: Evaluating speed and need

By now, you should have a general understanding of what a 50 Mbps plan can do for you and how much speed you’re currently getting. Now, it’s time to piece everything together. Here is a checklist to go through before deciding to switch.

Key considerations before switching internet plans

Ultimately, if you’ve determined that you are ready for an upgrade, we hope we’ve equipped you with the knowledge to select the best plan for your needs.

If you’re still on the fence, we have one more key consideration for you as you make this decision: making sure your internet can keep up with the advancements coming our way.

Future-proofing your internet

If there’s one thing we know for sure about the future, it’s that there’s no slowing down tech advancements. In fact, the demand for global data traffic increases by 40% every year (McGill, 2023).

As streaming becomes clearer, gaming becomes more immersive and realistic, and working from home becomes more widespread, we are going to continue to need more and more from our internet speeds.

If you’re signing a contract, you want to ensure that your internet speeds will support your activities that entire term. Investing in higher speeds today may set you up for a seamless internet experience tomorrow.

Conclusion

To wrap up this guide, let’s go back to our initial question: is 50 Mbps fast enough?

Ultimately, it depends! 50 Mbps should be sufficient for a single user to engage in even the most demanding activities or general internet use for several users. If several users are relying on 50 Mbps for high-bandwidth activities, they may experience some lag, and a higher-speed plan may be best.

Deciding to make the switch to a better plan or different ISP is not easy, nor is it one that should be taken lightly. Hopefully, by now, you have gained a better understanding of your internet needs and whether or not making the switch is the right decision for you. 

When you sign up with us, you get unmatched customer service (our St. Paul-based customer service team answers our calls – no dealing with robots here!) and a commitment to serving rural Alberta. 

Connect with us today and we’ll match you up with the best plan for your needs.

Internet Speed Questions We’re Asked Frequently