How much internet speed does your home really need?
A simple guide to choosing broadband speed by people, devices and habits, from 50 Mbps for light use up to 1 Gbps for the busiest homes.
Speed is less about one big download and more about how many people and devices share the connection at the same moment. Get that number right and everything feels instant: calls stay clear, films start without a spinner and nobody has to ask who is downloading what.
Start with people and devices, not activities
Count the people at home, then the devices that are online at the same time: phones, laptops, smart TVs, tablets, consoles and smart devices such as cameras and speakers. A busy evening, when everyone is streaming, gaming or on a call, is the moment that matters. Plan for that hour, not for an average day.
Then think about the heaviest thing each person does. A video call needs far more than a chat app, and a 4K film needs far more than music. Add those up for your busiest hour and you have a realistic picture.
How much speed do you need? A quick guide
| Household | A busy evening looks like | Suggested speed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | Browsing, social media and HD streaming on one screen | 50 Mbps |
| 3 to 4 people, 5 to 8 devices | HD streaming on two screens, video calls and online classes | 100 Mbps |
| 5 or more people, 9 or more devices | 4K streaming, gaming, large downloads and calls at once | 200 Mbps |
| Very busy homes and home offices | Several 4K screens, cloud backups and large uploads | 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps |
These are starting points, not rules. If two people in your home spend the whole day on video calls, move up one step.
Why upload speed matters too
Most people only look at download speed, but upload speed carries your voice and video on calls, your photos to the cloud and large files to your office. On older connections, upload is often a small fraction of download, which is why calls break up the moment someone else starts streaming.
On fibre, upload holds up far better, so your face stays sharp on a call while the rest of the house watches a film. If you work from home, create content or back up your phone to the cloud, give upload as much thought as download.
Plan for your busiest hour, not your average day.
Is your Wi-Fi slowing you down?
A fast plan can still feel slow if the Wi-Fi signal is weak where you use it. Thick walls, a router hidden in a cabinet or a room at the far end of the home can lose much of your speed before it reaches your device. Before you upgrade, read how to fix Wi-Fi dead zones at home. A better router position often makes a bigger difference than a faster plan.
Devices wired to the router, such as a smart TV or a desktop, always get the most consistent speed. For everything else, a central, open router position is the simplest upgrade there is.
What about data limits?
There are none to worry about. Every I-ON plan comes with unlimited data and no fair-usage cap, so you only choose the speed. Nobody has to ration streaming at the end of the month, and a big download doesn’t slow you down afterwards.
What if your needs change?
Homes change: a new job, a child starting online classes, a new 4K TV. You can change your speed any time from your account, so you are never stuck on a plan that no longer fits. Start where the guide above suggests and move up or down as you go.
Frequently asked questions
Is 100 Mbps enough for a family of four?
For most families of four, yes. 100 Mbps comfortably handles HD streaming on two screens, video calls and online classes at the same time. If your family streams in 4K, games online or has more than 8 devices online at once, look at 200 Mbps.
How much speed do I need to stream in 4K?
A single 4K stream typically needs roughly 15 to 25 Mbps, depending on the app. What matters more is how many 4K screens and other devices run at once, which is why homes with several 4K TVs are usually happiest on 200 Mbps or more.
How much speed do I need to work from home?
Video calls need steady speed in both directions more than a very high number. A fibre plan of 100 Mbps or more suits most people working from home, with more headroom if others at home stream or game during work hours.
Can I change my I-ON speed later?
Yes. You can change your speed any time from your account. Every plan has unlimited data, so speed is the only thing you choose.