To choose the right Internet service speed for your home, consider the bandwidth requirements of each device and activity that will be running simultaneously.

We'll first come up with a sample household and at the end of the page we'll have more detailed per-device network loads.

• 4K Streaming (TV): Requires about 25 Mbps per stream.
• HD Streaming (TV or Device): Requires about 5-8 Mbps per stream.
• HD Video Conferencing: Requires about 3-5 Mbps up and down.
• Group Video Conferencing in HD: Requires about 5-8 Mbps up and down.

To calculate the total bandwidth needed, add up the requirements for all the devices and activities you expect to use at the same time. For example, suppose you have two TVs, one 4K the other HD, and two computers busy streaming HD video, and a video conference going on at the same time:

• 4K TV: 25 Mbps
• HD TV: 8 Mbps
• 2 Devices Streaming in HD: 2 x 8 Mbps = 16 Mbps
• Video Conferencing: 8 Mbps

Total Estimated Bandwidth for this example:

• 25 + 8 + 16 + 8 = 57 Mbps

• Overhead and Fluctuations:
  • Add about 20-50% extra to your calculated total to account for network fluctuations, background tasks, and overhead. For example, 57 Mbps plus 50% would be about 86 Mbps.

• Simultaneous Usage:
• Consider how many people and devices will be using the Internet simultaneously. More devices may require additional bandwidth.

• Future Proofing:
• Consider getting a slightly higher speed than you calculate to accommodate future needs, additional devices, or to prevent slowdowns during peak usage times.

Given the example above, a plan that offers at least 100 Mbps should be sufficient.
For multiple high-bandwidth activities simultaneously or to ensure a smooth experience with no slowdowns, consider a 200 Mbps or higher plan.
If you have a large household, expect large uploads or downloads, or foresee increased usage, a plan in the range of 300-500 Mbps might be more appropriate.
Also, ensure the upload speed meets your needs, especially for video conferencing and cloud services, as many standard plans focus primarily on download speed.

• File uploads and downloads will take longer with slower speed.
• Any system backups and restores to/from the cloud will take longer.
• Transferring files using a file transfer service will take longer (uploading the file to send or downloading the file you've received)

Let's explore the timing of an upload or download given different file sizes and provider Internet speed.

Download time (seconds) = File size (in bits) / Internet speed (in bits/second)
assuming 100MB file is 100*8 Mb, 1GB file = 1000 MB = 1000*8 Mb

These speeds do not account for

• Latency (delay before starting a transfer)
• Network Congestion (exceeding available bandwidth capacity on the network)
• Packet loss (and resulting re-transmissions)
• Wifi vs Wired connections (wifi can be less stable)
• Server speed or load
• Quality of Service (QoS) settings, prioritization of other traffic may have an impact

To account for these factors, estimate for overhead, a 20% to 50% increase in download times.

• 100 Mbps provides reasonable speeds but can feel slow for larger files.
• 300 Mbps significantly reduces download times, enhancing user experience.
• 500 Mbps offers a noticeable improvement, suitable for multiple users and devices.
• 1 Gbps delivers the fastest download times, ideal for heavy data usage activities.

You might consider: how often you do the above uploads or downloads, and your tolerance for a longer transfer time.

Pricing details for various speeds from our three service providers as of 9/25/2024.
Key: Cost (download/upload speed latency) speeds are “up to” the speed. Best is high numbers for download and upload, and low numbers for latency.

Important: if you see (600/35) then that means you can download files etc at 600 Mbps, million bits per second, but you can only upload data at 35 Mbps, which will impact you if you email large files, backup to the cloud, etc.

On 10/22/2024 at 6:30pm, with FiOS 300Mbps speed from Verizon, here's my timing.

—- The Next Question:

What devices might I connect to the internet and what bandwidth would they need?

When planning your Internet service, consider the various devices you might connect to your network and their typical bandwidth requirements.

• 4K Ultra HD TV (e.g., Smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast):
  • Bandwidth Required: 25 Mbps per stream
• HD TV (e.g., Smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast):
  • Bandwidth Required: 5-8 Mbps per stream

• General Web Browsing and Email:
  • Bandwidth Required: 1-5 Mbps
• Video Conferencing (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype):
  • Bandwidth Required: 3-8 Mbps (up and down) for HD video
• Online Gaming:
  • Bandwidth Required: 3-6 Mbps (up and down)
• Downloading Large Files or Cloud Backup:
  • Bandwidth Required: Varies, but faster speeds (20-100 Mbps) improve download times.

• General Browsing and Social Media:
  • Bandwidth Required: 1-5 Mbps
• Streaming Video (HD):
  • Bandwidth Required: 5-8 Mbps
• Video Calls:
  • Bandwidth Required: 3-5 Mbps (up and down)

• Online Multiplayer Gaming:
  • Bandwidth Required: 3-6 Mbps (up and down)
• Downloading Games/Updates:
  • Bandwidth Required: 20-100 Mbps or higher for faster downloads

• Smart Speakers (e.g., Amazon Echo, Google Nest):
  • Bandwidth Required: < 1 Mbps
• Smart Cameras (e.g., Ring, Nest, Arlo):
  • Bandwidth Required: 1-5 Mbps per camera (up and down)
• Smart Thermostats, Light Bulbs, etc.:
  • Bandwidth Required: < 1 Mbps per device

• Smart Appliances (e.g., smart refrigerators, ovens):
  • Bandwidth Required: < 1 Mbps
• Wearables (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers):
  • Bandwidth Required: Minimal, generally < 1 Mbps

• Standard VoIP Calls:
  • Bandwidth Required: 0.1-0.5 Mbps per call (up and down)
• HD VoIP Calls:
  • Bandwidth Required: 1-2 Mbps per call (up and down)

• Connected Alarm Systems:
  • Bandwidth Required: 1-2 Mbps (up and down)
• Cloud-Connected Security Cameras:
  • Bandwidth Required: 1-5 Mbps per camera (up and down)

• Cloud-Connected Printers/Scanners:
  • Bandwidth Required: < 1 Mbps for basic tasks, more for high-res uploads/downloads

• Streaming in SD (Standard Definition):
  • Bandwidth Required: 1-3 Mbps
• Streaming in HD (High Definition):
  • Bandwidth Required: 5-8 Mbps
• Streaming in 4K (Ultra HD):
  • Bandwidth Required: 25 Mbps

• Online VR Gaming/Experiences:
  • Bandwidth Required: 10-30 Mbps

• Connected Home Assistants (e.g., Google Home, Alexa):
  • Bandwidth Required: Minimal, generally < 1 Mbps

When calculating your total bandwidth needs, consider how many of these devices might be active simultaneously. For example, if you're streaming 4K content on one device while video conferencing on another, you'll need to ensure your total bandwidth can support these activities concurrently. It's often a good idea to plan for peak usage and future expansion by choosing a plan with a higher bandwidth than your current minimum requirements.