What Is A Good Broadband Speed For Me? Comparing Different Speeds

So what broadband speed do I need? This is a question many ask themselves when a contract comes to an end, they move into a new job or a living situation changes in any other way. Broadband speed has never been faster in a readily available way, however, speed and price can’t be the only reason that you choose a certain provider. 

This piece will break down what different broadband speeds offer in a practical sense, the average broadband speed in the country and the importance of using different channels to find the best deal possible. 

Determining what kind of user you are

Before you start signing contracts it’s important to determine what sort of internet user you are – this will help to clarify what sort of broadband speed you need in a practical sense. This can also be applied when considering how many people in your household are going to be using the internet at any given time. 

Light users (likely living alone)

This moniker can be used to describe a solo resident who needs the internet for basic tasks such as answering emails, checking their online banking and some basic browsing. 

Medium users (1-2 person household)

This can be applied to the average person or couple who regularly browse the web, check their social media and stream from apps like Netflix. 

Heavy users (larger families & specific needs)

These people use the internet a lot and likely need to provide connectivity to multiple members of the household. Common activities for heavy users include large video game downloads, real-time streaming and regular video conferencing

Understanding where you fall in these categories will better inform your decision of what broadband speed you require. 

What can different broadband speeds provide?

The three primary classifications of broadband speed are Standard, Superfast and Ultrafast aka full-fibre – each of which provides a profoundly different connectivity experience. 

• Standard – 10-11mbps. This is the kind of speed that can provide for a light user, offering enough broadband to complete basic tasks and browsing. In terms of practical use, you could download 1 hour of TV in about 15 minutes with this speed.
  
• Superfast – 30-150mpbs. This broadband speed can generally provide for couples or families of four maximum. For context, a broadband speed of 150 mbps, an hour TV episode would take around a minute to download.
  
  Note: The average broadband speed in the UK was around 70mbps in March 2023.
  
• Ultrafast (full-fibre) – 150-1,700mpbs. As the name suggests, this broadband works rapidly and can manage the largest downloads with ease. An hour of TV would download in no time while video games can be installed within minutes. 

When choosing your plan, keep in mind what you actually plan on using it for. If you’re constantly in and out of video calls or playing online games in your spare time, the upper end of superfast or full-fibre broadband speeds are likely going to suit you best, and vice versa. 
However, with all this in mind, it’s also worth remembering that full-fibre is firmly on the rise, becoming more affordable and readily available every day. Soon, having the best connectivity isn’t going to be nearly as much of a decision to make, offering ultrafast speeds and increased property value to millions across the country.