All of us use the internet in our daily lives. From entertainment to office work, everything requires you have a strong internet connection. Many internet service providers also offer various options to use with different features and benefits that we get as per our requirements. But while we are searching for these plans, several technical terms leave us perplexed and we are unable to decide how it works in our favor.

Among other things, bandwidth and speed baffle us. Both of these terms are frequently used by all internet service providers. The fact that these terms are used interchangeably makes us wonder is there a difference between them. But you will be amazed to know that there is a subtle difference between them. And then today’s article is all about this!

Bandwidth vs Speed

Now that we know that bandwidth and speed are not the same terms and there is a major aspect that differentiates one from another, the following are the definitions of both terms.

Bandwidth is the amount of data that is transferred from the source to the destination over an internet connection. Whereas, speed is the rate at which the data is downloaded or uploaded over an internet connection to a given device. Both bandwidth and speed are measured in Megabits per second (Mbps).

This is why you should see both aspects of a plan: how much bandwidth and how much speed are you getting?

How Much Speed or Bandwidth Do I Need?

Bandwidth is mainly affected by the number of devices that are connected to the network. The more devices connected the slower speed you will get. That is why it is important that you see how much speed you need and how can you get it as per your requirements.

Several online activities require a different range of speed. Below are some categories that will help you identify the speed that you should get.

• If you use around 1-2 devices in your household and like to browse the web on a moderate level, watch videos and send important emails—you must look for at least 30 Mbps of download speed.
• If you use around 3-4 devices in your household and like to stream HD and 4K videos with online gaming— you should consider having at least 50 Mbps of download speed.
• If you use around 6-7 devices and also have some home automation devices, plus you like to stream HD and 4K videos and play simultaneous gaming— you must look for at least 100 Mbps of download speed.
• If you use around 8-10 devices and also have some home automation devices, plus you like to stream HD and 4K videos, play simultaneous games and perform heavy downloads— you should consider having at least 200+ Mbps of download speed.

Now that you can see the estimated speed that you must have if you see some relevant activities that we mentioned. So whether you are working from home, or you want to binge-watch all seasons of your favorite show—you must have an internet connection with a suitable speed.

To Conclude

Knowing the difference between bandwidth and speed will help you determine the best internet plan that you want. In this case, we suggest you go for Spectrum internet connection that offers you an exceptional range of speeds at affordable prices. Plus if you ever feel confused you can always call Spectrum Telefono and get all your speed problems solved with professional assistance.