Questions on my new Internet

[Pipeline]

In two weeks time, I will be getting a new internet that utilizes fibre optic cables.
There is an FAQ about it on my local Telecoms website, but it doesn't really help with the questions I have.

One: The website states that I will have speeds of up to One GigaBit per second. What is the difference between a GigaBit and a Gigabyte? Is my internet still going to be 'very fast'?

Two: I was discussing with a friend recently. He said no Ethernet (At least, I think he said Ethernet) card can handle such speeds. Is this true?

Three: Do UK Steam servers support these speeds? Apparently, one gigabyte of data can be downloaded in 8.2 seconds with this new cable. Will Steam be slightly slower?

If you have answers to any of these questions, that would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Albino Boo]

1. Ok 1 byte is made of 8 bits so 1 gigabit per second is about 125 megabytes per second. Yeah that is fast but its unlikely you will be getting that full speed but at even half the max speed that its still very fast.


2. Ethernet has the 1000BASE standard which is a 1 gigabit setup. In your house you need a 1000BASE-T infrastructure (router, switch/hubs and APs), a 1 gigabit ethernet capable card and cat 6e cabling. Most of the recent infrastructure has 1000BASE-T built in but its worth checking to make sure.

3. Steam servers will chuck data out as fast it can, but there max speed is dependant on load and distance from the server. You will not get the full 1 gig but it will be a lot faster than you are currently getting

 

[Pipeline]

1. Ok 1 byte is made of 8 bits so 1 gigabit per second is about 125 megabytes per second. Yeah that is fast but its unlikely you will be getting that full speed but at even half the max speed that its still very fast.


2. Ethernet has the 1000BASE standard which is a 1 gigabit setup. In your house you need a 1000BASE-T infrastructure (router, switch/hubs and APs), a 1 gigabit ethernet capable card and cat 6e cabling. Most of the recent infrastructure has 1000BASE-T built in but its worth checking to make sure.

3. Steam servers will chuck data out as fast it can, but there max speed is dependant on load and distance from the server. You will not get the full 1 gig but it will be a lot faster than you are currently getting

Thanks, that was very helpful of you.