How Much Internet Speed Does My Tech-Heavy Family Really Need?

As a dad in a house full of tech-savvy teenagers, I’ve come to realize that our internet needs are growing faster than I ever expected. With three teens each using multiple devices—laptops, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, and smart TVs—not to mention our family’s collection of smart home gadgets, it’s clear that having a high-speed, reliable internet connection isn’t a luxury anymore; it’s a necessity.

But the big question is: How much internet speed do we actually need?

Understanding Bandwidth Demands

When you think about internet usage, it’s easy to assume that a basic connection is enough. However, when you start listing everything connected to the internet, it becomes clear that the demand adds up quickly.

Here’s a breakdown of our family’s internet-connected devices:

• Each of our three teenagers: Laptop, tablet, smartphone, smartwatch, smart TV, Apple TV, and smart speakers.

• Family-wide smart home devices: Thermostat, streaming devices, multiple televisions, internet-connected appliances, and eight Wi-Fi security cameras.

• Other miscellaneous devices: Smart lights, voice assistants, and gaming consoles.

Each of these devices requires bandwidth to function smoothly, and some, like streaming in 4K or gaming, demand significantly more speed.

How Much Speed is Enough?

To get an idea of how much internet speed we need, let’s break it down:

• Streaming HD/4K video (Netflix, YouTube, etc.): 25 Mbps per device

• Online gaming: 10-25 Mbps per gamer

• Video calls (Zoom, FaceTime, etc.): 5-10 Mbps per call

• Smart home devices (lights, thermostats, cameras, etc.): 5-10 Mbps per device

Now, multiply those speeds by the number of devices in use at any given time. If two kids are streaming 4K content, another is gaming, and I’m on a video call for work while our security cameras and smart devices are running in the background, we’re easily looking at needing 1-2 Gigabits per second (Gbps) to avoid buffering, lag, or slowdowns.

Why Gigabit Internet Makes Sense

With our current setup, anything below 1 Gbps would mean frequent slowdowns, buffering, and frustration. Dobson Fiber Internet offers gigabit-speed connections that provide the stability and speed my family needs to keep up with our tech-heavy lifestyle.

Fiber internet ensures that even when all our devices are running at once, our speeds remain fast, stable, and reliable. Plus, it’s a future-proof investment as technology continues to evolve.

The Bottom Line

If you’re like me and have a household filled with teens, smart devices, and high-bandwidth needs, it’s time to consider upgrading to gigabit-speed internet. With Dobson Fiber, I no longer have to worry about slow connections or competing for bandwidth—I can rest easy knowing my family has the speed we need to stay connected.