The Speed You Pay for vs. the Speed You Need
Internet providers love to sell you the fastest plan possible. But do you actually need 1 Gbps? For most households, the answer is no — but you also don’t want to go too slow and deal with buffering and lag.
Here’s how to figure out what you actually need.
What Uses the Most Bandwidth?
Not all internet activities use the same amount of speed. Here’s what common activities require:
| Activity | Speed Needed (per device) |
|---|---|
| Email & web browsing | 1-5 Mbps |
| Social media & TikTok | 3-10 Mbps |
| SD video streaming (480p) | 3-5 Mbps |
| HD video streaming (1080p) | 5-10 Mbps |
| 4K video streaming | 25-35 Mbps |
| Video calls (Zoom/Teams) | 5-10 Mbps (upload matters too) |
| Online gaming | 5-15 Mbps (latency matters more) |
| Large file downloads | 50+ Mbps (for speed, not necessity) |
The Real Formula: Speed × Number of Users
The key isn’t just what one person needs — it’s what everyone in your household needs at the same time. If you have four people streaming HD video simultaneously, you need 4 × 10 Mbps = 40 Mbps minimum.
Here’s a quick guide by household type:
1-2 People, Light Use
Recommended: 25-75 Mbps
Browsing, email, social media, occasional streaming. A basic plan handles this easily.
2-4 People, Moderate Use
Recommended: 75-150 Mbps
Multiple people streaming, some working from home, kids on tablets. This is where most families land.
4+ People, Heavy Use
Recommended: 150-300 Mbps
Multiple 4K streams, gaming, video calls, smart home devices. If someone’s always complaining about buffering, this tier solves it.
Power Users / Home Office
Recommended: 300+ Mbps
Large file uploads/downloads, multiple video conferences, home servers, or if you just want zero friction.
Upload Speed Matters Too
Most people focus on download speed, but upload speed matters more than ever:
- Video calls send video upstream — slow uploads mean grainy video and dropped calls
- Cloud backups (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox) rely on upload speed
- Content creation — uploading videos, photos, or files to the cloud
If you work from home, look for fibre plans with symmetrical upload speeds. Cable plans typically have much slower uploads (15-30 Mbps even on fast plans).
Don’t Forget About Your WiFi
Your internet speed is only as fast as your WiFi setup. A 300 Mbps plan won’t help if your router is 10 years old or on the opposite side of the house. Tips:
- Place your router centrally, not in a closet or basement corner
- Use a WiFi 6 (or 6E) router for the best performance
- Consider a mesh system for larger homes
- Use ethernet cables for devices that need consistent speed (gaming consoles, work computers)
What Get Wifi Offers
Get Wifi offers plans from 75 Mbps to 1 Gbps across Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan. Whether you need a basic plan or want the fastest fibre available, check our current plans and pricing to find the right fit for your household.
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