We live in the streaming era. Long gone are the days of sitting down in front of a box set, today streaming platforms reign supreme. For all the wealth of options this opens up, you're very much at the mercy of your broadband connection. After all, a cosy night in front of the TV can turn into a frustrating time if you're watching a buffering screen rather than the latest talked-about series.
You can avoid those nightmares before you even start by ensuring your broadband speed is up to scratch (and by choosing Connect Fibre TV to stream all your shows in one place, of course!). Make sure on-demand really means on-demand by understanding what broadband speeds you need for streaming.
Never fear, though, we've done the digging so you don't have to. Read on for a streaming broadband cheat sheet, giving you all the information you need to stream shows uninterrupted and choose the best broadband for streaming .
What Is A Good Internet Speed For Streaming?
The recommended internet speed for streaming depends on the quality of the video you want to stream. You don't need hyperfast broadband if you're just streaming in standard definition, but it can help the higher up the quality scale you climb.
Here are general guidelines for different streaming resolutions:
Broadband speeds for standard definition (SD) quality
- Minimum Speed: 3Mbps
- Recommended Speed: 5Mbps
Broadband speeds for high definition (HD) quality
- Minimum Speed: 5Mbps
- Recommended Speed: 10Mbps
Broadband speeds for 4k ultra high definition (UHD) quality
- Minimum Speed: 25Mbps
- Recommended Speed: 50Mbps or higher for optimal performance
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines for streaming broadband, and the actual speed required may vary based on the service, the device you're using, and other factors like network congestion. For households with multiple users or devices, it's advisable to choose a higher speed to accommodate simultaneous streaming and other online activities.
What Broadband Speed Do I Need For Smart TVs?
Again, broadband for smart TVs is dictated by the application and factors such as the number of users. If you're gaming on it, you'll need around 20Mbps with higher amounts to be expected in busy family households.
It's essential to consider the number of devices connected to your network and the type of activities they're engaged in. Additionally, the actual speed you experience may be influenced by factors such as network congestion, Wi-Fi signal strength, and the performance of your router. For the best Smart TV experience, it's often a good idea to choose a broadband plan that provides a higher speed than the minimum required for your specific activities.
Read more: 10 tips to improve your wi-fi speed
What Is The Best Broadband Package For Streaming?
You can't beat full fibre broadband when it comes to streaming. It can handle all the speed requirements and much more. At Connect Fibre, we have four great packages, all of which will provide superior streaming. Create your perfect package for streaming today.
Best Streaming Broadband Speeds By Platform
There are more streaming platforms out there than you can shake a stick at these days, but we've picked out a handful of the big boys here. Check out the broadband speeds you need for different streaming platforms here.
What broadband speed do I need for Netflix?
Netflix offers streaming in different resolutions, ranging from standard to Ultra HD. As such, there's a range of recommended Netflix broadband speeds. The speed you require will range between a minimum of 1.5Mbps to 25Mbps.
What broadband speed do you need for Amazon Prime?
The ideal internet speed for optimal Amazon Prime streaming falls within the range of 1Mbps to 5Mbps, with a higher recommendation of up to 25Mbps if you are streaming content in 4K resolution.
Notably, Amazon Prime does not impose specific speed requirements. Similar to numerous streaming services, it autonomously adjusts the streaming quality to the highest available level, unless otherwise specified by the user.
What broadband speed for iPlayer?
The suggested broadband speed for optimal BBC iPlayer usage falls within the range of 1.5Mbps to 5Mbps. Notably, BBC iPlayer does not offer an extensive collection of 4K content, with only around 27 titles available.
iPlayer can be accessed on Connect Fibre TV, where you can seamlessly stream all your favourites. Why not give it a go today!
What internet speed do you need for YouTube?
YouTube broadband speeds ranges between 0.7Mbps and 20Mbps, again depening on factors such as resolution. Due to their lack of regulation on uploads, videos can be as little as 360p in resolution all the way up to 4k.
Choose Streaming Broadband From Connect Fibre
With speeds of up to 1000Mbps, you'll be able to stream from your chosen platform with ease when you switch to Connect Fibre. Why not give Connect Fibre TV a try - you can stream all your favourite shows in one place with this great TV service!
Head to our postcode checker to see if you're eligible for our full fibre, and choose your perfect package to facilitate the ultimate in streaming connectivity.
