Knowing what speed schedule you need is one of the most difficult aspects of internet shopping. While most providers provide plans with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps, the fact is that most households only need around 100 Mbps.
When you look at the speed specifications for different online activities, such as joining a Zoom call, uploading videos, checking email, or playing live games, you'll find that they're all under 25 Mbps. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommends at least 25 Mbps for households with four users or computers at the same time.
Also, Read: Learn how to get high-speed internet without a phone line or cable
Since bandwidth is shared by all connected devices in a household, you'll need a speed plan that's faster than what a single online task needs. This means that if you have four people in your household studying and working remotely, each of them can use about a quarter of the bandwidth on your plan. And if each person uses more than one device at a time, such as a smartphone and a computer, each device will use about an eighth of the bandwidth available on your plan.
As a result, when choosing an internet package, think about how many devices will be online at the same time and what tasks those devices will do.
Divide the number of devices you use at a time by the speed plan you're considering purchasing to find out what speed plan you'll need. You'll want a speed of between 25 and 40 Mbps as a result.
If you have a family that works and learns from home, streams 4K or HDR content from various devices, and/or engages in heavy online gaming, you'll want that number to be closer to 40 Mbps. If your family only uses the internet for simple tasks like watching videos from one or two devices at a time and checking email, you should stick to 25 Mbps.
As a result, a 100 Mbps plan is possibly adequate, as most households use no more than five high-bandwidth devices at any given time. If your household only uses one or two computers at a time and a cheaper plan is available (just don't go below 25 Mbps), you may want to go with it.
If your household meets the following requirements, a 100 Mbps plan is right for you:
1. Using 3-5 computers at the same time
2. Broadcasts HDR or 4K HD video
3. Multiplayer games on the internet
4. Online schools and Works from home
If your household uses the following regularly, you'll need a connection that's faster than 100 Mbps:
1. Switches between more than six devices at the same time
2. Helps you to share huge files
3. Videos from live streams
Xfinity
Starting price: $34.95/mo.
Internet service type: Cable
AT&T
Starting price: $35.00/mo.
Internet service type: Fiber optic
CenturyLink
Starting price: $49.00/mo. (price for life)
Internet service type: DSL
Suddenlink
Starting price: $35.00/mo.
Internet service type: Fiber optic
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