Internet Speed for Streaming

What nbn® speed do I need for streaming?

With a few dozen streaming services currently available in Australia right now, odds are you’re signed up to at least one – and your household may well have multiple people watching TV or movies on different devices at the same time.

But slow download speed can cause your video to play in a low-resolution format. Or worse, buffer and lag while you watch – less than ideal when you’re in the middle of an explosive family argument in Succession or in a ‘climactic’ scene in Bridgerton. 

To negate the effects of other users and network congestion, and to get the most out of your streaming platform, we recommend a faster internet plan, such as a minimum of 50Mbps. 

But don’t take our word for it – read on to find out what nbn® speed you need to get the best viewing experience.

Internet speed required for streaming video

The most popular streaming platforms in Australia right now (Netflix, Stan, Binge and Disney+) all recommend a minimum internet speed of about 5 Mbps for streaming in 1080p high definition, and 15 Mbps for 4k ultra high definition.

However, 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.

If you’re wanting to stream in higher definition, the services all require a much faster internet connection.

So to be safe, and to make sure your show doesn’t buffer or lag, we recommend a higher Mbps internet speed, such as 50Mbps.

Internet speed for streaming…

Netflix

To watch Netflix in full high definition (1080p), you’ll need speeds of 5 Mbps, while to enjoy TV and movies in 4K/Ultra HD, you’ll need internet speeds of at least 15 Mbps.

Stan

To get the best out of Stan, they recommend 4.5 Mbps for HD 720p, 7.5 Mbps for HD 1080p and 15 Mbps for UHD 4K. 

Binge

For a seamless Binge stream with good quality video you’ll need 4 Mbps (HD 720p) or 5 Mbps (HD 1080p).

Disney+

For the best result streaming TV and movies from Disney+, the platform recommends 5 Mbps for high definition content and 25 Mbps for 4K UHD content. 

Minimum internet speed for streaming

These are the minimum recommended internet speeds for streaming from these platforms (the other 20-odd platforms call for similar internet speeds). If your internet is slower than these recommended speeds, you’ll find that your video buffers or cuts out while you’re watching. 

These speed recommendations don’t take into account how many other people and devices are using your connection or congestion on the network. 

To keep your streaming smooth, especially if you share a network with other users, we recommend a faster internet plan, such as 50Mbps.

These streaming services automatically stream at the highest quality available without buffering. If your internet speed fluctuates, your stream may switch from high to low quality while you watch. To avoid this, you can set a maximum streaming quality in your account, or upgrade your internet plan to a faster speed.

Internet speed for streaming Twitch

But what if you’re uploading a stream, like with Twitch or Facebook Live? In that case you want to look at your upload speed, which is the second number in your internet plan (ie. 250/25 Mbps).

Facebook Live, YouTube and Twitch all offer a livestream resolution of 720p with similar speed recommendations:

• Facebook Live recommends between 3 and 6 Mbps.
• YouTube Live recommends 1.5 to 4 Mbps.
• Twitch recommends 3 Mbps.

However, because upload speeds (like download speeds) can fluctuate, you’ll want to give yourself a buffer of about 30% – or more if you need to be absolutely confident of a smooth stream.

Best internet providers for streaming

For the ultimate streaming experience, you’ll want an nbn® plan that offers fast, reliable internet. Look for a plan that can handle the streaming demands of everyone in your household at the same time and you’ll never have to compromise on what to watch again.

Why Choose NodeOne?

• Awesome value internet, 30-day money back promise and no lock-in contract!
• NodeOne is proud to be the first WA company to offer 1,000/1,000 Mbps on the nbn® network.
• Our Fixed Wireless broadband internet is a game changer – it’s fast, reliable, and built to last!
• The entire NodeOne team is based in WA. This means that you can speak directly to our team of experts who can help. So, you can finally say no to overseas call centres!