We are discovering, even more, this year how important streaming over broadband is and will continue to be in the future. More and more people are switching from typical TV packages to subscribing to an online TV streaming service. Watching your favorite TV shows online or streaming music is more convenient with faster internet speed. Your streaming and download speed will depend on your bandwidth and internet speed. The number of Mbps you will need for streaming and other internet activities like video-calling via Skype or Facetime will depend on the amount of streaming you do if you are using multiple devices and your access to fibre through your broadband providers. If you want faster internet speed, average download speed, and upload speed to fit your needs, then you need 4K/UHD streaming capabilities. What broadband speed do I need for 4K/UHD streaming? Your broadband connection needs to be fast enough to allow you to do all the streaming with any streaming service like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify that your family needs. Your connection speed needs to be fast enough to ensure high definition viewing. Faster speeds mean better streaming for everyone in your house. Here are some common broadband speed and download speed numbers that you will need for popular streaming services: Netflix: Netflix is used most commonly to replace TV packages for a lot of households. This streaming service requires 3Mbps for SD or 5Mbps for HD streaming. If you were to use data instead of the internet to watch Netflix, you would use 1GB/hr for SD and 3GB/hr for HD. Sky TV or Sky Sports: To stream Sky TV or Sky Sports, you will need at least 2.5Mbps and will use about 1GB/hour to stream if you don’t use the internet. This includes Sky Cinema as well. YouTube: To watch HD videos on YouTube, you will need to have at least 2Mbps. Not using the internet, you will use about .25GB/hr to stream videos. This level of Mbps will also give you an upload speed if you post videos. Amazon Prime Video: To stream with this provider instead of buying a TV package, you will need 1Mbps for SD and 3.5Mbps for HD viewing. Using data will cost you about 1GB/hr for SD or 2GB/hr for HD. Hayu: For Hayu, 2Mbps is recommended for streaming, and you will use about 1GB/hr of data. Spotify: To stream music faster, you will only need less than .5Mbps or use about .1GB/hr of data. The broadband speed, download speed, and upload speed that you need will depend on the services you use and if you are watching in SD or HD. Obviously, HD will require a faster connection speed via your WiFi, while SD will only require average speeds. If you don’t have an unlimited broadband package for your phone, then the amount of data you use for streaming purposes will matter. You will want to instead use your WiFi, especially for ultra high definition videos. What broadband connection do I have now? If you don’t know what your download speed is in Ireland, you can easily check it. This is especially good to do if you suspect your internet speed or bandwidth to be underperforming. If streaming services like Amazon Prime or Netflix are buffering a lot during playback, then you may need to check on your internet connection or increase your Mbps. Since there are a lot of factors that can go into internet speed, it may be worth taking to your internet provider to find out more about your connection. How can I improve my broadband speed? If your Mbps is lower than what you need, then you will want to check local broadband providers to find either an unlimited broadband package or at least a speed that comes with as much speed as you need. There are many broadband providers in Ireland that offer broadband deals for standard broadband or superfast broadband. Getting as much speed as you need is important, especially if you are using it in place of TV, like watching on-demand videos or Netflix, often. If your provider is not offering you a superfast internet connection and acceptable Mbps levels, then you may need to begin looking for a new broadband deal through another internet service provider. How can I find a superfast broadband deal? Broadband providers all offer different deals. Some may offer a landline in addition to fibre broadband. Some may offer unlimited broadband to help you stream as you replace TV packages with streaming through an internet service. Most will offer a monthly contract that comes with a router and maybe even a device. If you are looking to bundle your regular TV package with internet service and a landline, then there are broadband options for you. There are also unlimited plans, which are good options for families that have more than one device streaming at once. If you already have a previously used router, then you will need to check with your provider to make sure it is compatible.
