7 Signs Your Internet Speed Is Not Fast Enough for Streaming

In a world where serious, large-scale issues like climate change and gender inequality plague the earth, slow internet speeds somehow make their way to the top of the list of issues that humans of this century actually seem to care about.

Surprisingly, this issue of internet speeds not being fast enough is shared by first and third world countries alike.

It is truly disappointing when, despite the high prices you pay for your internet, internet speeds aren’t fast enough to allow you to stream TV shows, movies, and sports in 4K and HD on popular streaming giants that have endless entertainment to offer.

Often, the reason behind this is that speeds drop at peak viewing times, when streaming services compensate for a slower (or just not fast enough) connection by reducing the quality of the viewer’s video. Another reason is also when, to unblock geo-restricted content, you try to access streaming services through a VPN.

So, when you use one of the best VPNs for streaming with the aim to watch your favorite online content seamlessly, you are bound to lose out on some speed as a VPN will always slightly decrease your internet speed; using a VPN results to that as VPNs add a number of new steps in your connection process. You can check streamingrant.com to find one of the best VPNs for streaming.

This is because, according to streaming companies including Netflix, your internet needs to run at least 5 Mbps in order for you to be able to stream content in HD; this only applies to a single user, though. For most homes where 4K movies and TV shows are regularly streamed, at least 18 Mbps is required (Netflix recommends a 25 Mbps speed for streaming 4K, while Amazon says you’ll need at least 15 Mbps for the highest-quality video). Visit ONQ for information.

Therefore, households with multiple active streamers will require an internet speed of at least 50 Mbps. According to Ookla, though, networks are getting faster: The average download speed in the U.S. jumped 35 percent last year, topping 95 Mbps.

Let us take a look at the seven signs that indicate that your internet isn’t fast enough to meet your streaming needs:

The 7 Signs Your Internet Speed is Not Fast Enough:

1. You’re a solid sports fan

If you’re the sort of sports fan who keeps a closet full of jerseys for every sport, you probably also prefer watching those sports in 4K. Needless to say, sports are best streamed live, and live streaming requires a fast connection so you don’t miss on any goals, passes, buckets, or catches.

2. You’re a multitasker

Considering that most aspects of our lives depend on the internet in order to function (entertainment, security, communication, work, business, etc.), it’s only inevitable for us to start feeling that our internet speed isn’t fast enough for the number of tasks we need to carry out simultaneously.

A fast internet connection, therefore, is necessary to make sure none of your digital tasks are slowed down.

3. You’re a downloader

Movies. Shows. Games. Music. Podcasts. You name it. There’s so much to download, and so little internet Mbps.

Whether you’re a traveler or just someone who likes to be on the safe side, you make sure to download lots of content on your mobile devices to watch/enjoy later so you don’t have to sit idle when you don’t have access to your preferred forms of entertainment due to lack of internet or cell service.

A fast connection is, therefore, essential for you if you are big on downloading.

4. There are more than eight devices that stream in your house

As a rule of thumb, your internet speed should increase with the number of people who share the connection. An average household has multiple users who own smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and game consoles.

Obviously, only a fast connection can handle the needs of a household with more than eight devices.

5. You’re the life of the party

Imagine, we live in times when even partying is impossible without the internet. Music is, after all, essential for any bangin’ party, and how can you use Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube without a fast internet?

Plus, all the guests these days ask for your wi-fi password before they ask you how you’re doing, and end up consuming a lot of bandwidth. So a party animal needs to share their internet connection with many people at a time, and for that the animal must have beast level internet speed.

6. You work from home

They say the future is remote. And even if it weren’t, at least the recent past and present have been remote for many people, as necessitated by the pandemic.

Jobs, academic classes, business operations, all have been carried out through video calls and screen sharing collaborations since COVID hit us. And all of that workload cannot be handled with optimal efficiency if your household’s internet is so burdened that all it has to offer is choppy audio, pixelated video and dropped/regularly disconnected calls.

7. You’re a movie buff

Earlier, being a movie or film buff meant being a frequent cinema goer who never missed a movie and made sure to also rewatch remastered versions of their favorite movies at home. Now, thanks to the pandemic, all you can do is watch your favorite movies online.

And to accommodate all that streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, etc., you must have an internet connection that can take the load without spoiling your streaming experience with buffering and disconnection issues. A high-speed Internet is, therefore, essential if you want the best audio and visual movie-watching experience online.

Conclusion:

More and more people are converting into cord cutters as the years go by. Obviously, the increase in content enthusiasts’ streaming needs call for internet speeds that can support them in their incessant need to watch entertainment online.

We hope the above seven signs will help you identify whether or not you need to upgrade to a higher internet speed so that slow speeds don’t come in the way of you enjoying the best online forms of entertainment.

Don’t forget to check your speed using Speed Test or another website to make sure your ISP is offering you value for your money!