Having access to reliable internet at home is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. From remote work and online courses to streaming and games, many people need high-speed internet for their daily activities. However, internet packages aren’t one-size fits all. They come in a variety of speeds, and the faster it gets, the higher it’s priced.

 How do you know which internet package is right for your household? If you bought the biggest package just to be safe, you could be paying too much for speed you don’t need.

To help you make the right choice, here’s a look at the factors that influence speed requirements to ensure you get the most out of your home internet connection.

Understanding internet speed basics

 To determine what internet speed your household needs, it’s important to understand how speed is measured and how it’s impacted by various activities. Typically, speed is measured in Mbps, or Megabits per second), and you need at least 25 Mbps for basic use.

 There is a difference between download and upload speeds. Download speeds impact browsing and streaming, while upload speeds affect video and audio chats, file sharing, and tasks like uploading files to a web server. Most internet providers offer significantly faster download speeds compared to upload speeds, but both are equally important.

Then there are latency and ping rates. These factors impact your connection’s responsiveness, which is crucial for video calls and gaming. In the Netherlands, network issues such as Ziggo storing can lead to temporary slowdowns, and tools like StoringRadar allow users to verify if the problem is related to a wider outage.

How household size impacts your needs

 High-speed internet plans vary in terms of speed and bandwidth. Speed is the rate of data transfer, while bandwidth determines the amount of data that can be transferred at once. You need a plan that has enough of both. Even the fastest internet speed will slow down when multiple users are connected to the network if the bandwidth can’t handle all the activity. The bigger your household, the more speed you need.

Generally speaking, here are some basic guidelines: 

• Households with 1-2 people. For light to moderate use, most small households only need 25 Mbps for browsing and basic streaming.
• Households with 3-5 people. If you have kids or roommates who use HD streaming, simultaneous streaming, online gaming, or work from home, you’ll need at least 100 Mbps.
• Households with 6 or more people. Large households often need speeds of 300 Mbps or faster, especially if multiple people are using the connection at the same time throughout the day.

When a streaming service says they only require around 5 Mbps, that’s the bare minimum for one connected device. In reality, 4k and ultra-HD streaming require at least 25 Mbps per stream. If multiple people in your household watch movies after work, you need a faster connection.

The impact of online gaming

 When it comes to online activities, gaming is the most demanding. Online gaming has high requirements for speed, latency, and bandwidth. For example, some game downloads require 50 Mbps to avoid long wait times, and competitive gamers need a latency under 20ms to prevent lag. If you have a gamer in your household, their activities will consume a large portion of your bandwidth and can slow down your whole network.

The impact of remote work

 Most remote workers won’t use a significant amount of speed or bandwidth unless they’re on an audio or video call. However, if the connection is overloaded, they will experience problems with simple tasks, like browsing, which could lead to frustration and lost productivity. It’s ideal to have a connection of at least 200 Mbps if you have a remote worker and a gamer/student in your household.

Other factors that influence speed requirements

 If anyone in your household uses a VPN regularly, you’ll need more speed. VPNs can reduce effective speeds by up to 50%, and if the VPN is being used to stream media, it will use a significant portion of your connection’s resources.

 Smart tech can also impact your speeds. Although most devices don’t use much, it can add up on a slow connection. For instance, HD security cameras can require 5 Mbps per camera to provide real-time monitoring, and the more smart devices you use, the more those small needs will add up.

Finding the right internet speed for your household

 Choosing the ideal internet package for your household depends on a variety of factors, like how many people live in the house and how they use the internet. By understanding how common usage influences bandwidth demands and speed, you can get a plan that will keep your household running smoothly.