Get the right plan with the right speed
Streaming services are becoming more and more popular. But what internet speed do you need for Netflix and other services? It’s important to understand the basics of streaming so that you know what internet plan will be fast enough.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the internet speed requirements for Netflix, as well as some other tips for getting the most out of your streaming experience.
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Enter your addressNetflix recommended minimum speed for optimal streaming quality
Netflix recommends a minimum speed of 3 Mbps for SD quality (standard definition) and 5 Mbps for HD quality (high definition). However, if you’re watching in Ultra HD, or 4K, then Netflix recommends a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps.
Keep in mind that 4k is growing in popularity, and more and more content in the future will be shot on 4k.
If your internet connection is slower than these recommended speeds, you may find that your video starts to buffer or stutter while playing.
Note: this is the absolute minimum speed needed and doesn’t take into account other users on your network, congestion, different devices competing for bandwidth, peak load etc.
So to be safe, and to make sure your show doesn’t stop to load, we recommend a higher Mbps internet speed, such as 50Mbps.
If you’re streaming on multiple devices at once
If multiple people in your household are streaming or gaming on different devices at the same time, then you may need an even faster connection. To stream without buffering on multiple devices, you will need an internet connection of at least 25 Mbps per device.
So, if four people were streaming on four separate devices at the same time, they would need an internet connection of 100 Mbps or higher in order to stream without buffering.
Since your internet is a shared resource, as discussed above, we’d recommend one of the following nbn® plans:
- nbn® Home Everyday 50/20 Mbps
- nbn® Home Fast 100/20 Mbps
- nbn® Home Superfast 250/25 Mbps
View our nbn plans here.
This ensures there’s plenty of bandwidth for all, without impacting your experience, or others in your house.
Other factors impacting streaming quality
In addition to download speed, other factors such as network congestion, router location, and the type of device used can impact streaming quality.
Poor router placement can cause interference, which could reduce the signal strength and slow down your internet connection. The type of device you are using can also affect streaming quality; older devices tend to have slower processors which can lead to buffering issues when trying to stream high-definition content.
What about Netflix quality settings?
When watching Netflix on your TV or computer, it is set to automatically stream at the highest quality available, while minimising any buffering interference. Keep in mind that if you have a fluctuating speed, you may notice your video stream bouncing between high, standard and low quality over the course of an episode or movie.
Generally speaking, on a fixed-line ADSL connection, your stream will probably bounce between HD and SD. However, if you’re on nbn® or fixed-wireless broadband, you will likely receive a consistent HD stream.
Netflix also lets you set a maximum fixed streaming quality through your account settings. The process of achieving this can vary depending on the type of device you’re watching Netflix on, but accessing and changing these settings is relatively straightforward.
- If you’re watching Netflix on your computer, start by clicking on your profile icon in the top-right of the Netflix window and selecting My Account. Under the My Profile, click on Playback Settings. Finally, choose the quality of stream you want.
- If you’re watching Netflix on your phone, open the Netflix app and select the Menu icon in either the top left or top right corner (this will vary depending on whether you’re using iOS or Android). Once this is done, select App Settings and then select Cellular Data Usage. The final step is to choose the quality of stream you want.
Unlimited, fast internet plans
For those who are heavy Netflix ‘bingers’, you want to make sure that Netflix always operates to its capacity. This means you should purchase a fast, unlimited data internet plan (nbn® Home Everyday 50/20 Mbps or nbn® Home Fast 100/20 Mbps) to cover all your internet requirements.
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Summary
The Netflix speeds mentioned in this blog are the absolute minimum speeds needed and don’t take into account other users on your network, congestion, peak load etc.
So to be safe, and to make sure your show doesn’t stop to load, we recommend a higher Mbps speed of at least 50Mbps.
For optimal performance however, it’s always best to check with us about the most suitable package for your needs before signing up.That way you’ll know the optimal speed for your needs.
You’ll be pleased to know that here at Swoop, our customer support team are all based in Australia. Speak directly to our team of experts who can help. No overseas call centres.
Why Choose Swoop?
- Awesome value internet, 30 day money back and no lock-in contract!
- The best internet performance with one of Australia’s fastest growing, Fixed Wireless networks
- Reliability and peace of mind with high capacity, exclusive Swoop networks and locally-hosted content
- Seamless nbn® performance with no data caps and no overcrowding
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