How Much Speed Do You Really Need?

What is Mbps?

When you're shopping for an internet plan, one of the most common questions is: How much speed do I need? The short answer is, it depends on how you use the internet. Let's break it down to help you understand Mbps and ensure you're not paying for more than you need.

Mbps stands for "megabits per second," and it measures the speed of your internet connection. It’s a lot like lanes on a freeway. The more lanes you have, the more cars (or data) can travel at the same time. So, if you're using a lot of devices simultaneously, you'll need more "lanes" (higher Mbps) to avoid congestion.

Does Speed Matter If I'm Only Using One or Two Devices?

Just like you wouldn't need a ten-lane freeway if you're only driving a couple of cars, you don't need a super-fast internet plan if you're only using a couple of devices. For instance, if you have a smartphone and a laptop, and you mostly use them one at a time, a lower speed like 25 Mbps might be more than enough. But if you have multiple people streaming, gaming, or working from home all at once, that's when you'll need a higher speed to keep things running smoothly.

25 Mbps vs. 500 Mbps: How Much Do You Actually Need?

Many people think they need "a gig" (1,000 Mbps) or are used to having speeds over 500 Mbps. However, when we dig into their actual internet usage, we often find that they only need a fraction of that speed. A great way to measure your usage is in chunks of 25 Mbps. 25 Mbps is enough to stream 4K video on a single TV, so if your household is frequently watching 2 TV’s at the same time, you will need more than 50 Mbps. The most popular plan for residential customers at Lytwave is 75x25, which is perfect for families who are frequently streaming on 3 TV’s.

Bandwidth and Using Multiple Devices at the Same Time

The more devices you have running simultaneously, the more bandwidth you'll need. If you're using ten devices, like smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, and other smart devices all at once, you'll need more Mbps to avoid slowdown. But if you only ever use two devices at a time, you likely don't need as much speed.

What if I Work From Home?

If you work from home, the speed you need largely depends on the type of work you do. For most jobs, a reliable connection is all that's needed — email, web browsing, video calls, and document sharing don’t require high speeds, just stability. However, some jobs may require a higher upload and download speed, especially if you're transferring large files or doing tasks like video editing, cloud-based work, or live streaming. For these situations, you’ll need higher speeds (typically 100Mbps or more) to avoid lag or slowdowns.

For example, if you're in a role that involves a lot of video conferencing or uploading/download large files frequently, you'll need a higher upload speed than someone who only checks emails or has occasional video calls. At Lytwave, we can help you find the right plan that supports both work productivity and personal needs, without overspending on unnecessary speed.

Common Activities and Their Internet Speed Requirements

To help you visualize, here's a list of common activities and how much speed they typically need:

• Streaming a 4K video: 25 Mbps
• Video calling (Zoom/Skype): 2–4 Mbps
• Online shopping or browsing: 1–3 Mbps
• Online gaming: 10–25 Mbps (depending on the game)
• Video conferencing for work: 5–10 Mbps
• Streaming music or podcasts: 1–2 Mbps

Keep in mind that these speeds are for each activity happening at the same time. So, if you're streaming 4K video while also on a video call, you'll need a higher plan to cover both activities without lag.