Yes, 50 Mbps of download speed is fast by any measure used today. The FCC defines fast broadband internet as a minimum of 25 Mbps so a download speed of 50 Mbps definitely qualifies as high-speed broadband internet. In fact, cable companies offer plans to urban households that routinely test in the 50 Mbps download range.

A download speed of 50 Mbps is fast enough to handle online activity for up to four people in your household with a total of 5-6 devices online at the same time. It’s fast enough for one person to stream Netflix in HD quality so long as others are doing basic tasks like shopping or checking email. Streaming content at a standard resolution rather than HD will save more high-speed data and allow more simultaneous activity on other devices. When you set resolution to HD for streaming a movie, sporting event, or concert, you use your high-speed data allotment much faster than at standard resolution. You might reserve HD for the most important events.

With download speeds of 50 Mbps you can stream music and podcasts, read social media feeds, stream videos, check email, pay bills and shop online.

Online gaming is in a category of its own. Although 50 Mbps meets the minimum download speed you need to live stream your game you would also need a minimum upload speed of 5 Mbps. Upload is how fast your computer can send data to a server so it’s important for livestreaming. Viasat plans have a maximum upload speed of 3 Mbps for residential and 4 Mbps for businesses and this doesn’t meet the requirements for livestreaming a gaming event but it can handle work tasks like video conferencing. Faster upload speeds are more common with cable internet and fiber optic internet service. Starlink has tested at higher upload speeds but the service is not available everywhere.

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