Streaming and Gaming: All you need to know

Streaming and Gaming: What speeds and data usage do you need?

In today’s digital world, streaming movies, TV shows, and engaging in online gaming have become an integral part of our daily lives. As demand for high-quality streaming and immersive gaming experiences grows, it’s essential to understand how internet speeds and data usage play an important role in these activities.

Choosing the right internet plan with the appropriate speeds and data usage is vital to ensure seamless and enjoyable streaming and gaming performance sessions. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the factors that influence the performance of your streaming and gaming, helping you to determine the appropriate internet speed for your needs.

Understanding Internet speed, latency & bandwidth

Internet speed refers to how quickly data travels to and from your device and the internet server. This is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Latency, measured in milliseconds (Ms), is the delay in data transmission. So, while internet speed determines how much data you can transfer per second, latency measures the delay in that data transmission.

Bandwidth, however, refers to the quantity of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection within a specific time frame. A higher bandwidth allows for faster data transfer and smoother online experiences.

The impact of Internet speed on streaming

Streaming services like YouTube and Netflix require a stable internet connection to deliver high-definition (HD) or 4K streaming without buffering. The required internet speed for streaming varies depending on the video quality. See requirements below:

• Standard definition (SD): 3-4Mbps

• High definition (HD): 5-10Mbps

• Ultra-high definition (UHD) 25Mbps+

If multiple devices are streaming simultaneously or if you have a large household with lots of users, you should opt for higher speeds to accommodate the increase in demand.

The impact of Internet speed on gaming

Online gaming requires a reliable and low-latency internet connection to ensure a smooth gaming experience without lag or delays. Internet speed requirements for gaming are influenced by factors such as the games graphics intensity and the location of the server. See general requirements below:

• Online multiplayer gaming: 5-10Mbps

• Seamless gaming or Virtual Reality: 20 Mbps+

The duration required for downloading game updates is significantly influenced by the speed of your internet connection. As an example, an 8GB game update would take roughly 4 hours and 33 minutes on a 5Mbps connection, while on a lightning-fast 250Mbps network, the same update would complete in a mere 4 minutes and 27 seconds.

It’s important to remember that these figures are for just one gaming device, and if you have multiple internet users in the household simultaneously, you will need to take this into consideration when selecting a package.

Other factors affecting streaming and gaming performance

Aside from internet speed, other factors can have an impact on streaming and gaming performance. Latency measures the time it is taking for data to travel to and from your device to the server. So, the lower the latency is the better your experience. Lower latency is vital for real-time online gaming and video conferencing. You can achieve lower latency by:

• Choose a wired connection: Wired connections, like Ethernet cables, typically offer lower latency compared to Wi-Fi. If possible, connect your device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable.

• Upgrading your Internet plan: Faster internet speeds often lead to lower latency. Consider upgrading to a higher-speed plan from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

• Optimising your network: Ensure that your network is free from congestion and interference. Close unnecessary applications, limit the number of connected devices, and prioritise your activity over less latency-sensitive tasks.

Choosing the right internet plan:

When choosing an internet plan, you should consider your household’s online activities, the number of connected devices and the users’ preferences. If streaming and gaming are high up on your list of entertainment choices, go for a plan with higher speeds to make sure everyone’s needs are met.

At Wessex Internet, our Full Fibre 250, 500 and 900 all come with unlimited monthly data usage. For our full fibre lite package, customers can use up to 100GB per month. See package details here.

Ultimately, your internet speed directly affects the quality of your streaming and gaming sessions. By analysing your internet requirements and considering factors like video quality, gaming requirements, and the number of connected devices, you can choose the best internet plan suited to you and your family!