How Much Internet Speed Do I Really Need?

Although there is no definitive answer to this often-asked question, Service Electric has a few great rules of thumb when it comes to determining how fast your Internet connection should be.

1. Number of users.

How many Internet users do you have in your home? If it’s just you and the cat, less is more! The higher the number of users in your home, who could be using the Internet service at the same time, the more speed you will need.

2. Activities.

You need to consider your family’s online activities. Internet speed is measured by Mbps (Megabits per second) and the amount of bandwidth needed can be calculated roughly by adding together all the devices that are using the service at the same time.  Different types of activities require different levels of bandwidth.  For instance someone playing an online, interactive game would use more bandwidth than someone browsing the Internet.  The more bandwidth that is available, the more simultaneous demand can be handled.

3. Devices.

How many devices do you have connected to the Internet at one time? This does not include the broken desktop sitting in the basement! Count only the devices you are actually using. You will want to include smart TVs that stream apps, laptops, smartphones, home security systems, surveillance cameras, smart appliances, tablets, and gaming systems that are all being used at the same time. The more devices, the more speed you need.

So, as you can see, the Internet speed you need is determined by the number of users, the type of activities, and the number of devices using your Internet service simultaneously. If you want to discuss this with us, please contact our office if you have any questions or think you may need to adjust your Internet speed.