We recommend an internet plan with at least 50 Mbps download speeds if you enjoy streaming Netflix. This ensures that your connected devices and one other person can get online and not flip a table over maddeningly slow internet speeds while you watch Schitt's Creek.
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CenturyLink offers unlimited data on all of its internet plans, which earns it bonus points when it comes to budget friendliness due to the lack of monthly overage fees. Its Fiber Internet plan is one of the cheapest gig-speed plans out there, perfect for streaming Netflix with your extended family or multiple roommates.
Netflix has very clear recommendations for speed based on the quality of video you want.1 Just know that the speeds listed are for streaming on a single device, so if multiple devices on your network are watching Netflix at the same time, you need enough speed to handle all those streams at once.
Streaming puts the power to choose entertainment on your terms instead of relying on a cable TV service or renting a movie or game. However, to stream content effectively to the devices you have in your home, one key factor must be assessed: your internet speed. This guide provides a closer look at how bandwidth and speed matter when streaming content, what rates you may need for streaming through different platforms, and more valuable insight into streaming.
In general, streaming will require a certain level of bandwidth from your internet connection and a certain speed to support the quality of the content. Certain activities, like listening to music without video or watching standard-definition (SD) video require less bandwidth and speed than something like streaming games or watching a high-resolution video in 4K quality.
In terms of the internet, bandwidth refers to the rate at which data is transferred. The abbreviation Mbps (megabits per second) is used in reference to the actual rate at which the data is transferred. Internet speeds are often displayed by internet service providers (ISPs) in terms of upload and download speeds. Download speeds are significant when streaming, but upload speeds can be critical when data is being sent, such as with gaming.
When you are streaming content, the speed at which data is sent across the connection determines the quality of what you are experiencing. For example, if you have a very low internet speed and you are trying to stream a movie, you may have lower picture quality, problems with lagging and freezing, or an inability to play the stream at all. By contrast, a high-speed internet connection allows data to be transferred rapidly, which may mean clearer picture quality, no issues with lagging or freezing, and seamless transitions from one piece of streamed content to the next.
The internet speed necessary for streaming largely depends on the streaming platform, the type of content you are streaming, and the quality of the content being streamed. Here are the internet speed requirements to use some of the most popular content-streaming platforms:
Spotify offers music and video streaming, both of which have different speed requirements. For standard music streaming, you need at least 384Kbps (kilobits per second, which equates to just over 0.33Mbps), while lossless quality requires at least 2Mbps. For video streaming, you will need between 0.5 and 1Mbps for SD and between 3 and 5Mbps for high-definition streaming (HD).
Netflix recommends different download speeds depending on content quality. For SD quality, 1Mbps will work, but Netflix notes that a faster connection will mean improved video quality. HD streaming requires between 3 and 5Mbps, and 4K/Ultra HD (UHD) requires 15Mbps.
Twitch offers a combination of interactive live streaming options, including gaming, music, and standard video. Twitch recommends between 3 and 6Mbps, depending on the preferred video quality. For example, if you want video quality in 1080p at 60 frames per second (fps) for gaming, you would likely need 6Mbps of internet speed.
Amazon Prime Video recommends a download speed of at least 1Mbps for streaming, which will work for SD content. For HD content, you may need up to 5Mbps or 4K Ultra HD, you need up to 15Mbps. Prime Video is also said to automatically adjust video quality based on the bandwidth you have available at any given time.
For basic video streaming on YouTube, you only need an internet connection with .5Mbps. However, to stream movies and TV shows, you will need different sustained speeds depending on the preferred video resolution. For SD, you will need between 0.7 and 1.1Mbps, whereas you will need between 2.5 and 5Mbps for HD, and for 4K streaming, YouTube recommends at least 20Mbps. To watch live streams, higher speeds are recommended, but the quality will automatically adjust according to the available bandwidth.
A lot of the streaming apps and platforms allow people to stream content to multiple devices at one time. For example, with a Netflix Premium plan, you can stream to four different devices at once. If multiple people on your connection are streaming simultaneously, this eats away at your available bandwidth and slows speeds.
If you do a lot of content streaming, finding a suitable internet provider that offers enough bandwidth, speed consistency, and data-use flexibility is important. Several ISPs offer plans that are suited for the demands of streaming.
AT&T Fiber is one option for high levels of streaming, such as if you stream on multiple devices at once or primarily rely on streaming content instead of cable TV. Their lower-tier plan with 300Mbps at $55/month is an option for basic streaming needs. However, AT&T also offers w and 5Gbps speeds in some areas with no data caps. The 2Gbps plan is $110/month, and the 5Gbps plan is $180/month.
CenturyLink offers DSL and fiber internet depending on the area, and both types of internet can accommodate streaming. The basic Simply Unlimited Plan is $50/month with speeds up to 100Mbps. For CenturyLink Fiber internet, you get 940Mbps of download and upload speed for $65/month. The Simply Unlimited Internet plan from CenturyLink has a 1TB data cap and the Fiber Gigabit plan has unlimited data.
For 4K streaming, you may need as much as 25 Mbps of internet speed or more, depending on the streaming platform and devices being used. The reason you need such a high level of internet speed is because 4K streaming involves using five times the data as high-def streaming. In other words, it takes more data being transferred at faster speeds in order for you to see the higher resolution of 4K.
Testing your internet speed gives you an idea if you have enough bandwidth to support different types of streaming, and you have several options. For example, speedof.me and Google offer speed tests for free, and both give you a look at download and upload speeds for your connection.
Latency is often referred to as ping rate or delays or buffering. Latency measures the amount of time between the moment a data packet is sent and the moment it gets received and processed. On the other hand, Bandwidth is the amount of information transmitted per second. Higher bandwidth connections have increased download speed, and hence latency becomes much more noticeable. For example, a file may only take 5 milliseconds to download, but latency may cause the user to wait for nearly 100 milliseconds to receive the first byte of the data from the download request. Bandwidth is a significant factor in both video and audio streaming. If the bandwidth remains low, driving down latency may not deliver improved performance. On the other hand, if the network suffers from high latency connections, no bandwidth will help in data transfer.
The recommended internet speed for a 480p live streaming should be at least 3 Mbps. The minimum download bandwidth varies between streaming services. A higher bandwidth may be needed when multiple devices connect to the Internet at the same time. For example, to live stream 720p or 1080p, you will need at least 5 Mbps bandwidth. For seamless 4K streaming, the minimum limit is around 25 Mbps.
The first step to improving your internet speed for streaming is to run an internet speed test and check that your current speed is up to par with the number of devices and household members who use it.
An important concept to remember when considering how much speed you need is the difference between upload and download speed. Upload speed refers to how quickly your connection can send data (i.e. uploading photos to Facebook or emailing files). Download refers to how quickly your connection can receive data (i.e. streaming videos or surfing the web). Most Internet plans offer a higher download speed than upload speed. This is because most online activities use more download speed than upload speed.
Streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu or YouTube typically use the most bandwidth. Netflix recommends 3 Mbps of download speed for SD streaming, 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K streaming per device. However, the speed requirements can vary based on the streaming service and quality of video you are streaming.
The increase in streaming video, whether you watch reality TV shows on Netflix, fantasy TV like The Wheel of Time on Amazon Prime, or your favorite streamer on Twitch, means a high speed internet connection is essential. So how much internet speed do you need to make the most of your streaming entertainment?
The simplest answer is a download speed of 5 Mbps, which should be sufficient for most users. The more complex answer is that it depends what TV streaming service, video streaming service, or other online streaming service you prefer. Read on to see what speed will meet your home entertainment needs.
While 5 Mbps is the standard speed needed for online streaming of HD video, some of the more popular movie and TV streaming services have their own recommendations. For example, if you have a 4K TV and want to stream in UHD on Netflix, you need a download speed of at least 25 Mbps. To do the same on HBO Max, a service that emphasizes theater quality visuals and big epic movie releases (recently, Dune and The Matrix Resurrections), download speeds of 50 Mbps are recommended. 2ff7e9595c
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