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How to calculate the correct number of Mbps you need for your home Internet

When you’re choosing a new service for your home internet, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which package is right for you. How do you know how many mbps you need and what does that mean? We’re here to help untangle the thicket of jargon, so read on to find out how to make the best decision for your online needs.

1. Mbps, Kbps and pings
Mbps is short for megabits per second, which is the standard unit of speed measurement. Kbps stands for kilobytes per second and is not used as often anymore. It was often used as a way to measure mobile speed, although 4G and LTE have replaced it in modern technology. One megabit is equal to 1000 kilobits. Pings are used to measure (in milliseconds) how quickly a request sent from your computer is received and responded to, which is important if you play a lot of video games online.

2. Upload and download speed
Most home internet packages will talk about speed in terms of upload and download speed. Upload speed measures how fast it takes you to send something (large file, email, picture, etc.) to another person or how clear your resolution would be during a video call. Download speed measures the time it takes to receive something sent to you or downloaded from the web, including streaming videos or music and visiting websites.

3. Determine your needs
You need to make sure you sign up for a home internet package that exceeds your household needs, but how do you determine what level of upload and download speeds you’ll need? Feel free to use the following suggestions before making a purchase:

A. If you plan to stream a lot of videos, SpeedTest.net recommends a speed of 1.5 mbps for normal resolution and 5 mbps for HD streaming.
B. If you make a lot of VOIP calls that include video, a speed of 1.5 mbps would be more than adequate.
C. If you don’t stream a lot, play online games, or don’t use VOIP services, 1.5 mbps will more than meet your needs.
D. If your home has smart devices or appliances, you must have a minimum of 1.5 mbps to cover your continuous connectivity.

Remember that the total speed will be distributed among all the devices in your home, so take into account all computers, tablets, smartphones and smart devices.

4. How can I maximize my speed?
While you should overestimate your usage before selecting a home internet package, sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances that cause speeds to lag. Be sure to limit activity to 1 or 2 large tasks at a time. An example would be avoiding downloading large files while playing online.

Discovering the best solution for your home Internet needs can be like trying to learn another language, but it doesn’t have to be! Determine your needs for now and the near future, and use the guide above to help you choose the right package for you.