1Understanding internet speed basics
- Download speed (Mbps) determines how fast you receive data. This matters for streaming, downloading, and most activities.
- Upload speed determines how fast you send data. Important for video calls and cloud backup. Cable offers lower upload than fibre.
- Latency (ping) is the time for data roundtrips. Low latency matters for gaming and video calls.
- Mbps versus MBps: Eight megabits equal one megabyte. A 100 Mbps connection downloads 12.5 megabytes per second theoretically.
- Real-world speeds vary. Expect 50-80% of advertised rates due to WiFi and congestion.
2Speed requirements by activity
- HD streaming: 5 Mbps per stream. 4K requires about 25 Mbps per stream.
- Video conferencing: 3-4 Mbps download, 2-3 Mbps upload for HD video. Upload matters here.
- Online gaming: Gameplay needs only 5-10 Mbps. Downloads and updates benefit from faster speeds.
- Working from home: VPN, cloud apps, and video calls each need 5-15 Mbps. Most remote workers do fine with 50-100 Mbps.
- Smart home devices: Each uses minimal bandwidth. Security cameras are heaviest at 3-5 Mbps each.
3Calculating household needs
- Total requirement depends on simultaneous usage. Identify your household's busiest moment.
- Example: Two video calls (8 Mbps) + one 4K stream (25 Mbps) + gaming (10 Mbps) = 43 Mbps minimum.
- Double your calculated minimum for headroom. Account for real-world performance and usage spikes.
- Rough guidelines: Single person 25-50 Mbps. Couple 50-100 Mbps. Family 100-200 Mbps. Large household 200+ Mbps.
4When you don't need gigabit
- No streaming service requires more than 25 Mbps per stream. Five simultaneous 4K streams use only 125 Mbps.
- Video calls max at 8-10 Mbps. Gaming gameplay needs minimal bandwidth.
- WiFi often bottlenecks before wired speed does. Your wireless devices may not reach gigabit regardless of your plan.
- When gigabit might make sense: Large households, content creators, home servers, or future-proofing.
5Upload speed: the overlooked factor
- Cable internet offers asymmetrical speeds. Fibre often provides symmetrical speeds.
- Video call quality depends on upload. If upload is limited, others see poor video of you.
- Cloud backup and content creation depend on upload. Remote work with large files suffers with low upload.
- Typical cable upload: 10-30 Mbps even on faster plans. Consider fibre if upload matters.
6Testing your current speed
- Use speedtest.net or fast.com. Run tests at different hours; results vary with congestion.
- Test on wired connection when possible. WiFi adds variability that doesn't reflect actual internet speed.
- Compare to advertised speed. Some shortfall is normal. Test during peak evening hours.
- Monitor over time, not just once. A single test provides limited information.
7Choosing the right plan
- Don't buy more than you need. Upgrading unnecessarily might add $30-50/month with no benefit.
- Do consider growth. Modest headroom makes sense if needs may increase.
- Prioritise reliability over raw speed. Consistent 100 Mbps beats inconsistent 500 Mbps.
- Factor full cost. A slower plan with transparent pricing may cost less over 24 months.
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Before you switch checklist
- Check if your current contract has an end date or cancellation fee
- Note when your current billing cycle ends
- Confirm oxio availability at your address
- Review the total monthly cost including taxes and fees
- Understand equipment requirements (modem, router)
- Plan for potential service gap during transition
Frequently Asked Questions
Netflix recommends 5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K per stream. A 50-100 Mbps plan handles multiple simultaneous streams comfortably alongside other web browsing. If you have multiple people watching different 4K streams at once, consider a plan with 150 Mbps or higher to prevent buffering.