In 2009, Internet speeds of 1 Mbps were considered very fast, but now providers offer tariff plans up to 1 Gbps. If you are choosing between O2 vs EE conditions to ensure a stable Internet connection, then in this article you will learn about how many Mbps is enough for work and entertainment on the Internet, as well as about the factors that affect the actual Internet speed.
What Affects Internet Speed
Internet speed is measured in megabits per second – Mbps, and data download speed is displayed in megabytes per second – MB/s.
1 MB/s = 8 Mbit/s. This means that it will take 8 seconds to download a 100 MB file at 100 Mbps.
The speed indicated in the provider’s tariff plan differs from the real one. This happens due to several factors.
- Current network load. For example, more people use the Internet in the evenings, so the speed may decrease.
- Connection type: wired, wireless. The most stable connection is directly using a wire. When connecting via a router, you must take into account its functionality, frequency range, and location.
- Number of devices. In addition to a smartphone and computer, a TV, robot vacuum cleaner, and other equipment are often additionally connected to Wi-Fi.
- Distance from the server on which the downloaded content is stored. It takes time for a signal to travel from one point to another.
- Ping. This is the server’s response delay to a request. Ping depends not only on the location of the server but also on its load and network stability. The lower the latency, the better. Typically, values below 50 milliseconds are sufficient even for demanding online games.
What Speed Is Needed For Different Tasks?
The Internet speed required for different tasks may vary depending on the requirements of each task and the number of simultaneously connected devices.
For Text
Text is considered the lightest content, so even a speed of 1 Mbit/s will be enough to chat in instant messengers and read articles. The size of a regular letter does not exceed 1 MB, but even a large letter of 10 MB will download in 1 minute 20 seconds.
For Video Calls
Video calls on Skype, Zoom, or WhatsApp will require a speed of at least 2 Mbit/s for HD quality broadcasting, and for a group video call – 5-8 Mbit/s. To ensure a clear picture on your end, outgoing speed is important.
For Photo
To quickly display photos on social networks and photo stocks, 5-10 Mbit/s incoming speed is enough. The weight of photos and loading time will depend on their resolution. At a speed of 10 Mbit/s, even an Ultra HD picture will be downloaded in a few seconds.
For Video
The quality of the image depends on the connection speed. For Full HD you will need 10 Mbit/s, for 4K – 35 Mbit/s.
For Music And Podcasts
On average, one song weighs 3-8 MB and lasts from 2 to 5 minutes. To listen to music, you no longer need to download it; just subscribe to your favourite online service. With a stable connection, you will need a speed of 1-2 Mbit/s.
For Games
Online games do not require huge speeds; usually, 5 Mbps is enough for them. But to quickly download updates and install new games, you will need from 50 to 100 Mbit/s.
For Streaming
For broadcasting, you need a good outgoing channel with a high upload speed. Streaming in Full HD will require about 35 Mbit/s, for 4K – 100 Mbit/s.
For Smart Home
Smart devices, such as digital speakers or smart light bulbs, don’t use much data individually, but in large quantities can slow down the Internet. It is recommended to add 5 Mbps to the speed of the tariff plan for every 10 devices and another 5 Mbps if you plan to install IP cameras.
So, how to choose the optimal tariff? We recommend following this plan:
- Determine who will use the Internet and how, and what is the priority: watching movies, working, or streaming.
- Consider the smart devices that will be connected.
- Add up the average speeds for all users and devices.
- Look at your provider’s tariff plans and round up the speed.
In any case, using the services of O2, EE, Vodafone, or any other British operator, you can install a repeater that will qualitatively strengthen the signal even if you have chosen a good tariff, but for certain reasons your signal is weak.
How To Configure Data Transfer Prioritization On Your Router
When there are many active Internet users in the house, the load on the network may be too high. This leads to delays on the part of services. Traffic prioritisation will help solve the problem.
It ensures uninterrupted network operation during congestion, optimising data transfer. It is enough to set priorities for different types of traffic, and the system will distribute it so that the Internet connection remains stable.
This setup helps avoid bandwidth problems. For example, overload can occur if one family member plays online and the other watches streaming video. To prevent services from competing for bandwidth and getting stuck, prioritisation comes to the rescue.
You can add prioritisation rules in the router settings, for example, in the QoS section. Specify which types of traffic or devices need higher priority. Some router models allow you to select gadget IP addresses, ports, and even applications.
Set the fastest incoming and outgoing speeds your ISP provides. Select the bandwidth priority level. It is impossible to set a value higher than 100% for each of them. The largest one is High priority. It is followed by Middle priority and Low priority.
Final Thoughts
If you have multiple devices using the Internet at the same time, you may need higher speeds to ensure a smooth and stable connection for all devices. If the weak signal is due to walls or the location of the room, we recommend using repeaters to improve the connection. UCtel provides services to improve the signal of O2, EE, Virgin, and Three, as well as other UK operators using repeaters.
