What is a Good Broadband Speed?

What Is a Good Broadband Speed?

A good broadband speed depends on how often you use the internet and what you use it for. With technology woven into almost everything we do, our broadband needs have changed. We stream, scroll, game, chat, work, and even cook with the help of connected devices. It’s no longer just one or two gadgets online, it’s your whole home all at one time. That’s why ultra-fast gigabit speeds are key to keeping everything running smoothly.

How are Broadband Speeds Measured?

Broadband speeds are measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) and Gigabits per second (Gbps). 1000Mbps (megabits per second) is equal to 1Gbps of speed. The faster the speed, the more your connection can handle at once. Gigabit speeds cover most things from downloading the latest games, running busy households with lots of people online at once, and making sure your favourite TV shows are always streaming in ultra high-quality definition.

What are Upload and Download Speeds?

When figuring out what a good broadband speed looks like for your home, it helps to understand the difference between upload and download speeds.

• Download speed is how fast your connected device can receive data from the internet.

• Upload speed is to how fast you can send data from your device to the internet.

• Symmetrical speeds mean you get superfast speeds whether you’re downloading or uploading.[YK1]

Download speeds are what we use to watch videos, listen to music, search online and download things from the internet. They’re particularly important if you watch a lot of movies and TV shows on streaming networks like Netflix or Amazon Prime and equally important if you want to download large files like the latest games on your console or PC. Upload speeds can be used for things like hosting video meetings, uploading content to social media, or uploading large files and videos to an online drive. Upload speed is important if you work from home, make a lot of video calls, or send large files regularly.

Symmetrical broadband, is one of the greatest benefits offered by modern providers, where your upload and download speeds are the same. Meaning you’re able to do a range of activities like gaming, working from home, or creating content done with equal efficiency.

Available Broadband Speeds

100Mbps Speeds

The internet we use requires a little bit of data for every task we do. For emails, online shopping or scrolling on social media you might only use a 5Mbps connection but to stream something in HD on Netflix you’ll need up to 20 Mbps. While it may not seem like much, when you start using these devices together along with other devices in the house that use the internet it starts to add up super quick.

Who’s it for?

• 1-2 person households that use the internet very infrequently

• Small homes or bungalows that don’t need extended coverage

• Houses with less than 10 devices

Households that regularly shop online using their phone or laptop, don’t use technology often, only watch TV and the occasional HD show

500Mbps Speeds

As you increase your broadband speed, you’re better equipped to handle higher data usage. If you watch live sports or use streaming platforms like YouTube, you’ll want a package that lets you stream crystal clear quality time and time again with minimal buffering. If you want all round coverage where you can guarantee everything you do online works seamlessly, you'll need gigabit speeds.

Who’s it for?

• 1-3 person households or small families that enjoy watching 4K shows and live sports

• Medium-sized houses that don’t need extensive coverage

• Houses with less devices

Households that regularly watch movies, TV shows and live sports in 4K, regularly use laptops and smart phones, own additional smart gadgets such as smart heating or lighting

1Gbps (1,000 Mbps) Speeds

When you move into the higher end of broadband packages, you’re getting stronger, more reliable connectivity throughout your home compared to lower packages. The more speed you have, the more data you can support across your devices. Higher speeds are ideal if you use multiple devices at the same time or live in a larger household where everyone is frequently online.

Who’s it for?

• 1-4 person households that use the internet often and for a variety of activities

• Medium-sized homes or house shares that need extended coverage

• Houses with lots of devices Psst: Get coverage for over 200+ devices with the eero Pro 7

• Households juggling multiple people online at once, people who work from home or game online.

2Gbps (2,000Mbps) Speeds

Gigabit speeds are perfect if you need a lot of data to power your tech. Whether you’re managing a busy household with kids streaming multiple shows, a tech savvy individual who streams high-quality sports, or an avid gamer, gigabit speeds keep everything running smoothly. How much speed you need also depends on the number of active devices sharing the connection.

Who’s it for?

• 1-10 person households that require their Wi-Fi to handle many different tasks at once

• Medium to large homes, especially those with hard-to-reach spots or older buildings

• Houses with lots of devices

• Heavy data users who stream 4K and live content, game online, work from home, or multiple smart devices connected at one time.

What Can Affect My Broadband Speed?

When choosing a good broadband speed, it’s important to understand what can impact your connection so that you can get the most from your broadband.

House type, size, and age

Older homes may be built with materials like thick brick walls that make it harder for Wi-Fi signals to pass through. Larger homes can also have “dead spots” where the signal is weak or doesn’t reach, meaning you might need a Wi-Fi extender or mesh to improve your coverage in those areas.

Type of broadband connection

The type of broadband connection and how it’s installed can make a big difference. Full fibre connections provide faster, and more reliable speeds compared to older copper lines. Whether cables run underground or overhead, full fibre delivers a direct and stronger connection to your home making your speeds faster and more reliable.

Symmetrical speeds Many online tasks now need good download and upload speeds, especially activities like recording and uploading videos. Older copper connections provide good download speeds but much slower upload speeds. The benefit of full fibre is that many providers now offer symmetrical speeds, meaning your download and upload speeds are the same for a smoother experience all round.

How many people and devices are used at one time

Your broadband speed needs to support all the devices and people using it at the same time. With so many devices we use to stream, game, work, and browse working at the same time, the demand on your connection can add up fast. More devices and more users mean you need higher, gigabit speeds to keep everything running smoothly without lag or buffering.

Looking for better speeds? Switch providers today

Changes to how we use the internet today has increased our need for faster speeds. After all, working from home, gaming online and an endless choice of streaming services have all meant we are now using the internet more than ever before. If you’re struggling with lag, dropouts, or slow internet with your current provider, we can help you switch to a plan with superfast speeds. Simply visit our broadband page or check your availability to see if we’re in your area. Plus we help cover up to £350* of your contract buy out from your current broadband provider to help making the switch a little easier.