Use the chart below to compare minimum download speed (Mbps) needs for light, moderate and high household use with one, two, three or four devices at a time (such as a laptop, tablet or game console).
You can also compare typical online activities with the minimum Mbps needed for adequate performance for each application by using our Broadband Speed Guide [1].
For more information on broadband speeds, see our Measuring Broadband America report [2].
| Light Use (Basic functions only: email, web surfing, basic streaming video) |
Moderate Use (Basic functions plus one high-demand application: streaming HD, video conferencing, OR online gaming) |
High Use (Basic functions plus more than one high demand application running at the same time) |
|
| 1 user on 1 device (e.g., laptop, tablet, or game console) | Basic | Basic | Medium |
| 2 users or devices at a time | Basic | Basic | Medium/Advanced |
| 3 users or devices at a time | Basic | Basic/Medium | Advanced |
| 4 users or devices at a time | Basic/Medium | Medium | Advanced |
Basic Service = 1 to 2 Mbps*
Medium Service = 6 to 15 Mbps
Advanced Service = More than 15 Mbps
*Mbps (Megabits per second) is the standard measure of broadband speed. It refers to the speed with which information packets are downloaded from, or uploaded to, the internet.