Guide to broadband speeds
Many people struggle when trying to determine what speed they need for their home broadband service. The speed that you require will depend on a range of different factors, and in order to determine what speeds they need consumers need to consider what they use their broadband service for and how many people in the household will be using the connection at the same time.
Different broadband applications will require different minimum speeds in order to run efficiently and the details below will provide an idea of what sort of minimum speed you will need to consider based on the activities that you use your broadband service for.
Are you a light, medium, or heavy user?
Whilst some people are only light broadband users others can be very heavy internet users. The speed requirements based on level of usage are:
Light users: This includes emailing, web surfing, and basic video streaming. For up to three users or devices a basic service of 1-2Mbps will suffice. For four users or devices at one time a medium service of 6-15Mbps may be necessary
Moderate users: This includes all of the light user functions plus one additional higher demand application such as streaming HD content, video conferencing or online gaming. For up to two users or devices a basic service of 1-2Mbps should be suitable. For three users or devices you may need to upgrade to a medium service of 6-15Mbps. For four users or devices you will need the medium service.
High users: This includes all of the light user functions along with a range of higher demand applications such as online gaming, video conferencing, and HD streaming. For one user or device a medium service of 6-15Mbps should be fine. For two users or devices you may need to use a more advanced service of more than 15Mbps. For three or four users or devices you will need the advanced service.
Minimum speeds for different activities
Below you will find an idea of the minimum speeds needed for different popular broadband activities. This is based on one activity running at a time and it is important to bear in mind that performance can be enhanced by using more than the minimum required speed.
Emailing: 0.5Mbps
Browsing and searching basic websites: 0.5Mbps
Loading interactive pages or short videos: 1Mpbs
VoIP phone calls: Less than 0.5Mbps
Streaming standard video: 0.7Mbps
Streaming feature films: 1.5Mbps
Streaming HD movies: 4Mbps
Video conferencing: 1Mbps
HD video conferencing: 4Mbps
Basic gaming: 1Mbps
Two way HD gaming online: 4Mbps
The above provides more of an ideal of the speeds you may need in order to engage in certain online activities. However, you should bear in mind that a number of other things may affect the speed that you need such as the amount of people connecting to the Internet in your home at the same time.
