What are your internet requirements? If you like to stream movies, you’re going to need more bandwidth. The size of your bandwidth will impact the speed of downloading, and a narrow bandwidth will not allow streaming at all. It’s also important to plan for standard-definition video streaming vs. high-definition video streaming.
Defining Bandwidth
If you plan to fill a 50 gallon pool and the hose only puts out 1 gallon of water per hour, you’ll be filling the pool for 50 hours. That’s bandwidth. If water needs to be diverted to water the garden beside the pool, that’s another user using the same connection.
Small bandwidth means slow downloads and no streaming, while buying a larger bandwidth will speed up downloads and give you the chance to stream, depending on the definition of the video you desire. The more people you have drawing bandwidth from the connection, the slower your downloads.
Downloads By the Numbers
Social media will take 1 megabit per second, or Mbps. A standard definition video will take 3 Mbps, and high definition will take 5 Mbps. Two movies on the same connection will take between 6 and 10 Mbps. Add someone using their phone for social media or watching a videoconference, and you’ll need to add bandwidth.
What About Uploads?
If you’re producing video, such as leading or creating a video conference, you may need to up your download speed. As a general rule, when purchasing bandwidth you’ll find that the upload speed is the smaller part of the purchase package. This speed is generally fixed and is a percentage of the download speed.
Methods of Delivery
Where you live will matter a lot to the speed of your internet. For example, if you live in a rural area and don’t have access to fiber optic lines, you may need to use phone or DSL (digital subscriber line) service. Generally, DSL is slower than fiber optic lines, but it’s not a given.
Satellite technology is also used to provide internet service, so weather challenges and hardware issues can also slow things down.
Consider Your Household Needs
If multiple people are on multiple devices, bandwidth will get eaten up quickly. For homes that like to stream movies, pop some popcorn and make everyone put their phones out of reach so you can enjoy streaming movies with no freeze-ups on screen.
While you’re working or taking classes from home, be aware that video-conferencing takes a lower bandwidth than streaming video. If you’re having a lot of trouble getting real time flow on a video-conference, either the producer may be struggling with limited bandwidth or your provider may be struggling with infrastructure issues.
Internet access, particularly enough to stream video with no buffering, freezing or choppiness, can be a challenge. Your internet service provider may hit a snag, your modem or router can be outdated, or your household may need more bandwidth.
It’s Time for a Switch
Infinium’s wireless and fiber internet solutions offer speeds that fit your needs and budget with unlimited data. Offering industry leading reliability and powered by the Victoria Electric Cooperative. Now serving: Port O’Connor, Port Lavaca, Seadrift, Victoria, Inez, Bloomington, Placedo.