When it comes to streaming, most people think of video services, such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime TV, to watch the latest shows and blockbuster films. In addition to video, streaming is used for gaming, music/audio, and social content.
Essentially, streaming means that there is a constant, steady flow of data transmitting over a network. This flow is what allows video, audio, and other digital content to be received. With that said, it is important to have enough bandwidth to support all of you and your family's streaming.Internet speed is based off of bandwidth. Think of it this way — bandwidth is like an expressway. The more bandwidth you have, the more lanes on the expressway there are and the faster everyone can go! Bandwidth is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), with 8 megabits equaling one megabyte. A byte is usually used to identify the size of a file. That means it will take about 8 seconds for a 1 MB file to download.
When trying to choose the right internet speed for your household, consider how you use your internet on a day-to-day basis. Are you a gamer? If so, you will need enough internet to download games and updates, access online servers with limited ping (especially when playing/streaming VR), and voice chat with your friends. Maybe you are a self-proclaimed movie critic and want to stream Netflix while one kid streams Disney and another streams YouTube—you‘ll need enough bandwidth to ensure that everyone can enjoy their programs without buffering (and look up what other movie you saw that actor in). We also know how important it is to be able to play the perfect music playlist at any given time.
In addition to considering what you will be using your internet for, you need to consider how many devices will be sharing the internet at the same time. Most people nowadays have multiple connected home devices and personal devices like phones, laptops and tablets, in addition to any shared devices within a household like smart TVs, game systems, and desktop computers.
The internet is used for countless reasons. Work, surfing, social media, smart home; all of which use bandwidth. Here's the kind of performance you can expect with altafiber Internet.
Based on your household, visit the button below to find the internet that is best for your household to surf and stream to your heart's content. If you ever have any questions, your friends at altafiber are always ready to help!