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If you’re like 90% of Americans, odds are you use the internet most days. Whether you use it for watching movies, playing games, or working from home, you need the right internet speed to get what you have to do done.
Yet these days, there are so many internet providers to choose from that it can be difficult to know which package to go with. How can you ensure that your internet is fast enough, but that you’re also not paying for speed you don’t need?
Keep reading for a guide on the different types of internet speed.
What Do People Consider Fast Internet?
Although everyone has a different idea of what constitutes fast internet, there are guidelines that provide some clarity. The Federal Communications Commission recommends households of multiple internet users to have a package that comes with download speeds of 12-25 Mbps.
They also define broadband, or fast internet, as download speeds of at least 25 Mbps. Check with your provider, or use an online resource to see where your download speed falls.
How Fast Should Your Internet Be for Streaming?
If you’re a casual internet user, you may only log on to watch the latest movies and TV shows online. Whether you use Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, or some other streaming service, you’ll need speeds of at least 3 Mbps to stream videos in standard definition.
If you want to watch in HD, you’ll need at least 5 Mpbs. 4K or HDR will require around 25 Mbps. If your internet speeds aren’t up to par, check out some of the internet bundles Shentel offers.
How Fast Should It Be for Gaming?
Are you a fan of online games? If so, you’ll need a stable and fast internet connection to make the experience enjoyable. You should have at least a 4-8 Mbps connection. 10-25 Mbps will make your experience more enjoyable.
In addition to a fast download speed, you’ll also need a speedy ping time. 20-100 milliseconds is good while less than 20 milliseconds provides you with a great gaming experience.
How Fast Should It Be for Working From Home?
On account of global pandemics and quarantines, more people than ever are working from home. To do so, you need a fast internet connection that lets you do things such as email, make video conference calls, and transfer files.
To send emails and do other simple tasks, you’ll need a speed of around 3-4 Mbps. To make video calls, you should have a connection of at least 10 Mbps. A download speed of 40 Mbps will let you transfer and download large files.
Types of Internet Speed for Everyone
Everyone uses the internet for different purposes, so it can be hard to decide between the different types of internet speed. Yet after reading this guide, you should have a clear understanding of the necessary internet speeds you need to do what you need to do.
Do you have any other tips on how fast the internet needs to be? Let us know in a comment below!
If you enjoyed this article, check out some of our other blog posts for more tech guides and tips.
