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Not all products, pricing, and services are available in all areas. Pricing and actual speeds may vary. Internet speeds based on wired connection. Restrictions apply.
Buffering while streaming video
From uploading family photos to checking out social media to streaming movies in 4K, a high-speed Internet connection helps you – and everyone else on your network – do it all, faster. As we connect more users and more devices to our home networks, high-speed Internet is becoming essential to our lives.
High-speed Internet offers a ton of great benefits. From remote working and distance learning to movie night and everything in between, high-speed Internet eliminates problems like buffering, failed uploads, poor-quality video calls and a host of other frustrating issues. When we get down to it, the faster your connection, the easier it will be for you, and everyone in your household, to stream, download, game and more. Let’s take a look at some of the additional benefits of high-speed Internet:
How fast is “high-speed,” anyway? And why is it so important? The term high-speed Internet is defined by the FCC as a minimum of 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed. If you’re wondering if high-speed internet is worth it for your household, think about how often you experience:
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Low-quality video while on Zoom, Skype or other video calls
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Slow-loading apps and web pages
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Slow or failed file backups and downloads
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Lag while playing video games
If you are regularly experiencing these issues, it may be time to consider upgrading to high-speed Internet. Keep in mind that 100 Mbps is the starting speed for high-speed Internet. You should look at your household’s Internet usage to determine what speed is best for you.
Access to high-speed Internet lets you interact with the Internet in brand new ways. While there are so many applications for a fast connection, they can be grouped into 4 main benefits:
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Reliable connection and speeds – Reliability is essential when it comes to many uses of high-speed Internet. A stable connection means fewer dropped voice and video calls while remote working and distance learning, and consistent speeds keep your streaming video from buffering during peak hours.
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Support multiple users and multiple devices – High-speed Internet is more than just fast speeds for one person. It’s about fast, reliable speeds when you’re multitasking or when everyone on your network is multitasking. Faster speeds let more people on one network stream video, browse apps, game and more without buffering or drops in connection.
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Unlock high-speed content – If you’re looking to stream Ultra HD and 4K video or livestream, you’ll need high download and upload speeds. Access high-quality streaming with a high-speed Internet plan.
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Upgrade your smart home – Smart home devices are always on and always connected, so if you’re looking to bring a voice assistant, doorbell cam or a smart thermostat into your home, a high-speed Internet plan will keep everything connected without slowing down your network.
Now you know what faster Internet can do, but what can you do with faster Internet? Check out these things that make high-speed internet important for your household:
Loading a single webpage or app might not require a high-speed connection, but it sure makes it easier. A high-speed connection keeps your social media feed refreshed, loads pages faster and cuts down on video buffering times.
If you’re a remote employee or run a business from home, a high-speed Internet connection is critical. It will enable you to download large PowerPoint presentations, participate in video conferencing and run SaaS smoothly. A slow Internet connection makes every online task take longer, potentially making things harder for you, your boss and/or customers.
Do you have smart or connected devices installed in your home? This might include a smart light switch, voice assistant or thermostat. To run these devices, you’ll need at least 5 Mbps for every 10 devices. Double that if you’re using a security or doorbell cam. An even faster connection, such as 50 to 150 Mbps or higher, can help ensure it all runs smoothly.
Do you use a cloud-based app to back up your phone or computer and store photos, videos, music and other files? If so, a high-speed connection is vital for accessing those files and uploading additional ones.
Livestreaming for your competitive gaming channel? Uploading makeup tutorials? Uploading your band’s latest LP to a shared streaming service? Let the world see everything you’re up to without getting held back by a slow connection.
Whether you’ve got a household member just starting out in school or wrapping up a college degree, they’ll be expected to use the Internet for researching projects, submitting reports and as a distance-learning tool. Stay ahead of the class with a connection that can keep up with your studies.
Want to test the speed of your current connection? Use Spectrum’s Speed Test. In just a few seconds you’ll be able to see both the upload and download speeds of your Internet connection. This test works best if you plug your device directly into the router with an Ethernet cable.
Now that you’ve learned all the positive effects of having faster Internet speed, are you ready to try it out for yourself?
In certain areas, Spectrum Internet service offers speeds up to 1 Gig. Plus, there are no data caps and we never throttle your speed. See how fast you can go today.