The sale of broadband has been conducted, over the years, on a single basis, which is speed. The quicker your download speed, the better your internet experience — at least that is what the providers are saying. Nonetheless, as a greater number of people work remotely, stream content, or rely on the internet to do their daily activities, it is clear that speed is not the sole factor to address.
A high-speed internet package does not necessarily imply smooth or stable connection. “The truth is that a significant portion of UK residents are paying more for high-speed packages that they do not utilise fully and they are still experiencing irritating problems such as buffering, dropouts, and slow video calls” says John Alex, a broadband specialist at QuoteRadar.
The Real Meaning of Broadband Speed:
When the companies advertise broadband connections, including 100 Mbps or 500 Mbps one, they are probably referring to the download speed. It is the rate at which you can access data, for example, playing a movie or opening a webpage.
But the thing is that there is a huge majority of households who do not need super-fast speeds.
- Small households, HD streaming, and browsing can be supported with 30-50 Mbps.
- 100 Mbps or higher is suitable when you have a family, 4K streaming or when you have more than one device.
- A speed of 300+ Mbps is often unnecessary except in case of heavy users or shared houses.
According to major UK companies, several individuals who subscribe to 500 Mbps or higher only use a small chunk of it and would not even notice the difference in case they move to a cheaper plan.
The Neglected Factor: Upload Speed
When attention is focused on download speed, the upload speed is usually overlooked. It is the rate at which your device transmits data to the internet, such as emails with big files attached, uploading files to the cloud or a video call.
The download speed in the traditional broadband packages is much higher than the upload speed. As an example, a 100 Mbps download plan may be accompanied by a 10 Mbps upload. That can cause problems if:
- You work at home and use video conferencing platforms such as Zoom.
- You post content on the social media or clouds.
- You are sharing the connection with other people who do the same.
Therefore, even with a high download speed, you may find it lagging or of low quality when you do not have an equivalent upload speed.
Uniformity and Consistency Count More:
High speeds do not matter when a connection goes dead, lags, or even slows down during peak hours. Lots of users are finding that a slow yet reliable broadband plan works better than one that is fast but unreliable.
Such factors that can influence reliability are:
- Connection type: FTTP is more reliable compared to copper based ADSL or FTTC.
- Network congestion: Evening or weekends may experience slowed down speeds.
- Quality and configuration of Router: Even the best internet connection can be spoiled by poor Wi-Fi at home.
Your broadband experience is shaped not only by your provider, but also by your home set-up, and the number of individuals using the network.
The Real Questions to Ask
Prior to selecting or up-grading your broadband, consider:
- Do I require faster speed, or a more stable connection?
- Does my current plan provide me with consistent performance during busy times?
- Could the issues I am experiencing be resolved with a better router or better coverage of Wi-Fi?
- Do I frequently upload files, participate in video calls, or work at home?
It is not about a fastest plan, it is about a plan that suits your real needs.
