But, before you take that decision, it would be best to know why you were facing issues with streaming content. There could be multiple reasons. You may have a slow broadband plan, a lower capacity Wi-Fi router, multiple devices connected at the same time, etc.
What is broadband speed and the right speed for streaming movies?
Broadband speed aka internet speed, in layman’s terms, is the transmission speed of your broadband connection. Ideally, it is a combination of both download speed and upload speed that a broadband plan gives you.
Broadband speed is expressed in megabits per second (Mbps) which is the measurement of how much data travels to and from your home each second. According to the statement issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in September 2021, the minimum broadband speed any internet provider offers needs to be at least 2 Mbps.
And although that might be just enough to send messages or emails, it is not enough to seamlessly stream your favourite OTT content. It requires a much larger bandwidth. Read further to learn more about it.
What is the right broadband speed for streaming movies and more online?
Recent years have seen a major shift in the way we consume our sources of entertainment. The majority of us have shifted from watching regular DTH channels on TV to streaming OTT content on our smart devices.
Streaming services like Netflix and others claim that they ideally need an internet speed of at least 5Mbps to stream their content. However, this may vary depending upon peak timing and the number of devices connected to a single connection. Another factor that decides the speed required is the quality of content.
Here’s the ideal broadband speed required to stream your favourite OTT content based on video quality:
- SD (480p): 3+ Mbps
- HD (720–1080p): 5–13+ Mbps
- 4K (UHD, 2160p): 16–25 Mbps
Now, even if that’s the ideal speed you need to stream your favourite content, it could also increase based on the number of devices connected at the same time. For example, if you have 3 smartphones, a laptop and a TV connected to the Wi-Fi, you’ll need approximately 30-40 Mbps to stream 4K content on your Laptop or TV.
Similarly, if you have multiple TVs at home and have gotten a secondary DTH connection, you would require good quality, high-speed internet to give you the results you desire while watching TV.
Experience High-speed Internet With Airtel Broadband Plans!
Airtel Fiber offers some of the best broadband plans in the industry along with some additional perks. Here’s a list of all the broadband plans Airtel offers currently:
Name Of The Plan |
Price
In Rs |
Speed Up To | Additional Perks |
Basic | 499/month | 40 Mbps | Free Xstream Premium, Apollo 24/7 Circle, FASTag cashback, and Wynk Music |
Standard | 799/month | 100 Mbps | Free Xstream Premium, Apollo 24/7 Circle, FASTag cashback, and Wynk Music |
Entertainment | 999/month | 200 Mbps | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, VIP service, Airtel Xstream Premium, Apollo 24/7 Circle, FASTag cashback, and Wynk Music |
Professional | 1498/month | 300 Mbps | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Basic, VIP service, Airtel Xstream Premium, Apollo 24/7 Circle, FASTag cashback, and Wynk Music |
Infinity | 3999/month | 1 Gbps | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Premium, VIP service, Airtel Xstream Premium, Apollo 24/7 Circle, FASTag cashback, and Wynk Music Premium |
Airtel offers fast broadband speed for you and your family!