If you’re a smart home enthusiast (and who isn’t these days?), it’s time to bring your household up to speed—internet speed! With all the connected devices in your home, from light bulbs and security systems to dehumidifiers and bathroom scales—each needing a piece of that coveted bandwidth—make sure you choose an internet service that’s up for the challenge. So, how fast does your smart home’s internet connection need to be?
That depends on how many gadgets you’re using, how often they’re being powered up, and how many people are using them. As your smart device collection grows (which you know it will), you’re going to need speeds faster than you can say “gigabit.”
What is considered fast internet?
Speed is relative, but as a baseline for an average smart home internet plan, 25 Mbps is the bare minimum needed for one user on one device. But in today’s tech-driven world, that won’t cut it for the majority of people. Most households now run on multiple devices and have smart home features. And that means you need much faster internet speed to power it all.
How much bandwidth do I need?
Trying to figure out how much bandwidth your tech-filled household needs? Take a roll call of all the smart devices in your home (you may be surprised by the number!). When it comes to sharing bandwidth, the most power-hungry devices are the ones that transmit video or are on all (or most) of the time, such as:
- Devices that tap into streaming services, such as smart TVs
- Smart appliances
- Security systems
- Smart doorbells
- Smart cameras with live video feeds that upload recordings to the Cloud
Devices that come online intermittently tend to use less bandwidth and only compete with your other devices when you’re actively using them. Examples include:
- Smart thermostats
- Smart light bulbs
- Voice-activated smart devices like light switches
Suppose you use a combination of all these devices. You’ll need a much faster connection, especially if you use them while also watching streaming video services, playing online video games, or juggling other data-heavy tasks.
Get fast, reliable internet for your smart home
Working from home, which many of us now do, requires a certain sense of discipline. Daily distractions can make remote work challenging, so the last thing you need is slow or spotty internet. Suppose you need to upload or download large files or join a video conference, but others in the household are stealing precious bandwidth for streaming or gaming. In that case, you need a business-class connection that can keep up with the chaos of multiple users using smart appliances, high-tech gadgets, and voice-activated assistants like Alexa and Google Home. Otherwise, it’s like inching forward in a three-mile backup during rush hour.
What internet speed do I need for my smart home?
Internet needs for a smart home vary depending on a variety of factors. What are your internet habits? How tech-savvy are you? Do you have a house full of streamers and gamers? Find out what internet speed you need for your smart home:
1. How many tech lovers live in your home?
A. 1-2
B. 3-4
C. 5+
2. How hungry are the internet users connected to your network?
A. Light: email, browsing websites, and little to no video or music streaming
B. Average: streaming of one video at a time, light online gaming, video conferencing where high-definition video isn’t important
C. Heavy: multiple users streaming high-definition videos or playing online games, uploading large files, frequent video conferencing
3. How often do you work from home?
A. Never
B. Several days per week
C. Most days or fully remote
4. What’s the highest-bandwidth smart device within your home?
A. I have a basic device like a smart thermostat or lighting system
B. I have a video device like a security camera or baby monitor
C. Most or all of my appliances are connected
If you answered:
- “A” to most or all questions, you’re a light internet user and can probably get by with lower speeds.
- A mix of “A” and “B,” you’re a light-to-medium user and should look for smart home internet plans with more robust speeds. Also, consider future devices and smart home upgrades.
- A mix of “B” and “C,” you’re a medium-to-heavy user and should consider plans with 500 Mbps or more.
- “C” to most or all questions, you’re a heavy-use household and need the fastest internet speeds available in your area to ensure your devices function correctly without slowing down your other online activities. Quantum Fiber is a great choice.
As your need for speed and reliability grows, so should your internet
Once you’ve figured out the minimum bandwidth you need for the smart devices you own (or plan to add), start looking at your options. Remember, it’s better to choose higher internet speeds for a smart home if you can afford them. Check out all that Quantum Fiber has to offer. With speeds up to 940 Mbps and exceptional reliability, you never have to worry about adding more devices later without slowing down your connection.
Fiber internet makes smart homes smarter
Quantum Fiber offers plans with speeds up to a whopping 940 Mbps, so you can keep a close eye on your nanny cam while streaming your favorite movie or rocking out to your favorite tunes. And with symmetrical download and upload speeds, we have you covered—whether you’re a streamer, gamer, browser, or remote worker.
If our fastest plans are out of your budget or you don’t need as much bandwidth, we also have competitively priced plans boasting speeds of up to 500 Mbps to keep your home connected at warp speed!
Smart homes deserve the smartest internet plans. After all, what’s the point in having all those cool tech gadgets if they don’t work to their full potential? Cut the connection on your slow internet and upgrade to Quantum Fiber today!
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