6 min · Interactive · Quiz
How much internet do you really need?
Here is the secret providers don't advertise: speed only matters when lots of things happen at once. Add up your busiest moment and you have your number.
1,000
Mbps in a gig plan
~20
Mbps a busy family of four uses at peak
~80
Mbps from a typical satellite plan
Try it: build your busiest hour
Think weekday evening. Tap + for everything happening at the same time.
- 2Browsing and socialPhones and tablets2
- 5HD streamingTV, laptop or tablet2
- 204K streamingBig-screen TV0
- 4Video calls and classesWork, school, telehealth1
- 3Online gamingNeeds low lag0
- 2Cameras and smart homeDoorbell, thermostat1
YOUR NUMBER
24 Mbps
Your number: 24 Mbps.
With 20% headroom so nothing buffers.
You
Satellite plan ~80
Satellite covers you, with room to spare.
Satellite covers you, with room to spare.
See plans for 24 MbpsSatellite is great for
- Streaming on several TVs
- School, work and telehealth calls
- Running a small business
- Cameras and smart home
Good to know
- Live calls carry a half-second delay
- Fast online games feel laggy
- Heavy storms can blip the signal
- Some plans slow down after 150 GB