How to determine the internet speed your home needs

Other factors that affect internet performance

Practical tips for testing and planning upgrades

Jobi George is a Lead Digital Customer Growth professional for AT&T and the Internet Editor for TechBuzz by AT&T.

Internet speeds are commonly measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). When comparing Mbps vs. Gbps, the difference often depends on how your household uses the internet. One Gbps equals 1,000 Mbps and provides more capacity than lower-speed tiers for activities that use a lot of bandwidth.

How much speed your household needs depends on activities such as <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/internet-connection-for-streaming/">streaming</a>, working, and <a href="https://www.att.com/gaming/online/">gaming</a>. Actual speeds may be lower due to <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/what-is-wifi/">Wi-Fi</a>&reg;&nbsp;&nbsp;conditions, equipment limitations, network congestion, and remote server performance.

<ul>
	<li>Devices using your network at the same time share your plan&rsquo;s bandwidth.</li>
	<li>Your household&rsquo;s usage during its busiest hours provides a useful guide for comparing plans.</li>
	<li>Gigabit service delivers its clearest benefits during large downloads and heavy simultaneous use.</li>
	<li>Your router, <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/">Wi-Fi coverage</a>, and devices can limit performance before your <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/">internet connection</a> does.</li>
</ul>

For many households, 300 Mbps provides enough capacity for daily activities, such as browsing, streaming, and video calls. Gigabit service becomes more useful during large downloads or when several bandwidth-heavy activities overlap. Compare speed plans to find the most suitable capacity for your household.

<h2>Mbps vs. Gbps: Speed comparison explained</h2>

Megabits per second describe the rate at which an internet connection can transfer data. Gigabits per second express the same capacity on a larger scale.

Since one Gbps equals 1,000 Mbps, a 1 Gbps connection has twice the theoretical capacity of a <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/is-500-mbps-fast/">500 Mbps</a> connection. It doesn&rsquo;t mean every website or app will work twice as fast because devices and remote servers can create their own limits.

Comparing plan speeds

These reference points show how common plan speeds compare:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Plan speed
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:143px">
			Equivalent in Gbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:243px">
			Theoretical transfer rate
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			300 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:143px">
			0.3 Gbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:243px">
			37.5 megabytes per second
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			500 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:143px">
			0.5 Gbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:243px">
			62.5 megabytes per second
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			600 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:143px">
			0.6 Gbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:243px">
			75 megabytes per second
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			1 Gbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:143px">
			1 Gbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:243px">
			125 megabytes per second
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Higher tiers provide more capacity for simultaneous streams, video calls, and other online activity. They can also shorten large downloads when the device and download server can sustain the higher rate.

<h3>Understanding bits and bytes</h3>

Internet plans measure speed in bits per second, while apps often report downloads in bytes per second. A byte contains eight bits. One gigabit contains 1,000 megabits under the decimal units used for internet service.&sup1;

Capitalization distinguishes bits from bytes:

<ul>
	<li>Mbps means megabits per second.</li>
	<li>MB/s means megabytes per second.</li>
	<li>Gbps means gigabits per second.</li>
	<li>GB means gigabytes, units of file size or storage.</li>
</ul>

Multiply an app&rsquo;s MB/s reading by eight to convert it to Mbps:

37.5 MB/s &times; 8 = 300 Mbps

On a 300 Mbps connection, an app downloading at 37.5 MB per second is reaching the connection&rsquo;s theoretical maximum speed. Actual speeds are usually lower because of Wi-Fi conditions, device capabilities, server speeds, and the data needed to maintain the connection.

The difference between bits and bytes explains why an app&rsquo;s numerical download rate appears lower than the Mbps number on your plan.

<h3>Estimating download times</h3>

Plan speed can also provide a rough estimate for large downloads. A 10 GB file has a theoretical download time of roughly four and a half minutes at 300 Mbps. At 1 Gbps, the theoretical download time is about 80 seconds.

A 100 GB game has a theoretical download time of roughly 13 minutes at 1 Gbps. The same game could take roughly 45 minutes at 300 Mbps. Network overhead and the download server may extend those times.

Check the plan disclosure to determine whether the listed rate represents a maximum or typical speed. A listed rate doesn&rsquo;t guarantee that every app or device will reach that rate. Federal broadband labels provide typical download speed, upload speed, and latency alongside price and data-allowance information.&sup2;

Plan labels describe expected service performance and terms. Your household&rsquo;s busiest periods show how much capacity you&rsquo;re likely to use.

<h2 id="how-to-determine-the-internet-speed-your-home-needs">How to determine the internet speed your home needs</h2>

Focus on activities running at the same time rather than the total number of connected devices. An idle phone uses little bandwidth. A television streaming 4K video creates a more meaningful load. A work call or game download running alongside that stream adds to the demand.

<h3>Comparing plan speeds</h3>

Common plan speeds provide useful starting points:

<ul>
	<li>300 Mbps can support browsing, video calls, and high-definition streaming across several devices.</li>
	<li>500 Mbps gives families more capacity for <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/remote-work-setup-for-beginners/">remote work</a> and simultaneous 4K streams.</li>
	<li>600 Mbps or faster can support larger households with many active users and frequent downloads.</li>
	<li>1 Gbps can serve homes that regularly run several high-bandwidth activities at once.</li>
</ul>

A home&rsquo;s actual needs still depend on simultaneous activity and upload demand.

The plan that&rsquo;s ideal for your household is one that provides enough capacity for busy periods without charging you for bandwidth that remains unused.

[Read: <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/what-is-high-speed-internet/">What is considered high speed internet?</a>]

<h3>Accounting for peak use</h3>

Estimate the load created by activities that regularly overlap. One 4K video stream commonly uses 15 to 25 Mbps, though the exact rate varies by service and video format.&sup3; Three such streams could use as much as 75 Mbps before accounting for work calls, downloads, or background updates.

Upload speed also deserves attention. Video meetings and cloud backups depend on it. A limited upload rate becomes more noticeable when you send large files. Some plans offer much slower uploads than downloads, while some <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/10-benefits-of-fiber-internet/">fiber internet</a> plans provide similar rates in both directions.

Online gaming generally consumes less bandwidth than 4K streaming. Latency and connection stability play a greater role in responsiveness, so a higher Mbps figure alone may not improve gameplay.

A household&rsquo;s busiest period offers a more useful planning guide than its device count. Heavy use during those hours also reveals where gigabit service can provide the greatest benefit.

[Read: <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/download-speed-vs-upload-speed/">Understanding download speed vs. upload speed</a>]

<h2 id="when-gigabit-internet-makes-sense">When gigabit internet makes sense</h2>

Gigabit internet provides up to 1,000 Mbps of connection capacity. It&rsquo;s most useful in homes that frequently transfer large files or run several bandwidth-heavy activities at once.

<h3>Activities that benefit from added capacity</h3>

Your household is more likely to notice gigabit performance while handling:

<ul>
	<li>Several 4K streams at once</li>
	<li>Large game and operating-system downloads</li>
	<li>Frequent cloud backups</li>
	<li>High-resolution photo or video projects</li>
	<li>Many active users during the same hours</li>
</ul>

These activities use more bandwidth than email or ordinary browsing. Gigabit service offers the strongest practical advantage when reducing transfer times or giving several active users more room to share the connection.

<h3>Comparing practical time savings</h3>

Large transfers make the speed difference easy to see. Gigabit service can significantly shorten large downloads when the server and equipment support the full rate. Real transfers take longer when another part of the connection can&rsquo;t sustain the full rate.

Web browsing tells a different story. A gigabit plan won&rsquo;t necessarily load webpages three times faster than a 300 Mbps plan. Most pages require relatively little bandwidth, and their loading times also depend on the website and your device.

Fiber service can provide fast upload rates and low latency, though plan designs vary. The broadband label offers a consistent place to compare those measurements before choosing service.&sup2;

Many homes can perform well on an available 300 Mbps plan. Gigabit service may justify its higher cost when regular use includes large transfers or several overlapping high-bandwidth activities.

A speed label still tells only part of the story because equipment and Wi-Fi shape the performance that reaches each device.

<h2 id="other-factors-that-affect-internet-performance">Other factors that affect internet performance</h2>

Your plan provides capacity to your home. Your network equipment determines how effectively devices can use it. A faster plan may not improve performance if an older router or weak Wi-Fi signal is the bottleneck.

<h3>Equipment and Wi-Fi limitations</h3>

Gigabit service requires ports and cables capable of carrying gigabit speeds. Older computers and network equipment may have slower Ethernet ports that limit the connection.

Wi-Fi performance changes with distance from the router. Walls weaken the signal, while nearby networks and electronics can add interference. Device capabilities also set limits because older phones and computers may not support newer Wi-Fi features.

<a href="https://www.att.com/blog/what-is-wi-fi-6-a-quick-introduction/">Wi-Fi 6</a> and Wi-Fi 6E equipment can provide greater wireless capacity for compatible devices. Wi-Fi 6E adds access to the 6-gigahertz (GHz) band for compatible routers and devices, which can provide access to additional wireless spectrum.⁴

Your modem, router, cables, network ports, and devices must support the intended speed.

<h3>Latency and network conditions</h3>

Download speed isn&rsquo;t the only measure of performance. <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/understanding-network-latency-how-to-improve-it/">Latency</a> measures the time data takes to travel between two points. Jitter describes changes in that delay, while packet loss occurs when data fails to reach its destination.⁵

Low latency, low jitter, and minimal packet loss help calls and online games remain responsive. Live video also benefits from a stable connection. These measurements can affect your experience even when a speed test reports strong download results.

Network congestion can reduce throughput during busy periods. A remote server can also limit a transfer. A faster plan won&rsquo;t fix a bottleneck caused by a website, app, or remote server.

Connection capacity sets an upper limit, but the path to each device determines the performance you experience. Comparing wired and Wi-Fi tests can help determine where the slowdown occurs.

<h2 id="practical-tips-for-testing-and-planning-upgrades">Practical tips for testing and planning upgrades</h2>

A wired <a href="https://www.att.com/support/speedtest/">speed test</a> measures your internet connection with fewer Wi-Fi variables. Several tests taken at different times provide a more useful picture than one result.

<h3>Running a controlled speed test</h3>

A controlled speed test can help narrow down the source of slow performance and guide your response, such as improving Wi-Fi or contacting your <a href="https://www.att.com/">provider</a>.

Use this process:

<ol>
	<li>Connect a computer directly to your router through Ethernet.</li>
	<li>Pause downloads and cloud backups. Stop streams and software updates.</li>
	<li>Choose a nearby test server.</li>
	<li>Test at several times during the day.</li>
	<li>Record download speed, upload speed, and latency.</li>
	<li>Compare the wired results with wireless tests.</li>
</ol>

If wired results remain far below the plan&rsquo;s expected range, confirm that your equipment supports the plan speed before contacting your provider. Strong wired results paired with consistently poor Wi-Fi results generally point to a home network issue.

Consistent test results give you evidence for deciding where an upgrade can make a difference.

<h3>Improving your home network</h3>

Your home network can limit performance even when your plan provides enough speed. Review the network before choosing a more expensive tier:

<ul>
	<li>Place the router in an open, central location.</li>
	<li>Keep the router away from dense walls, large metal objects, and electronics that may cause interference.</li>
	<li>Install current router firmware and device updates.</li>
	<li>Use 5 GHz or 6 GHz Wi-Fi with nearby compatible devices.</li>
	<li>Connect stationary devices through Ethernet where practical.</li>
	<li>Consider <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/extender/">mesh Wi-Fi</a> for a large home or persistent dead zones.</li>
	<li>Confirm that your router and primary devices support the intended speed.</li>
</ul>

These changes can improve coverage and consistency without adding more internet capacity.

Testing first helps separate a plan limitation from a home-network problem. That distinction helps you spend money on the part of the connection that&rsquo;s holding back performance.

<h2>FAQs about Mbps vs. Gbps</h2>

<h3>What&rsquo;s the difference between Mbps and Gbps?</h3>

Mbps means megabits per second, while Gbps means gigabits per second. One Gbps equals 1,000 Mbps, so Gbps is typically used to express higher internet-speed tiers.

<h3>Which is faster, 500 Mbps or 1 Gbps?</h3>

A 1 Gbps connection is faster. It provides twice the theoretical capacity of a 500 Mbps connection, although equipment, Wi-Fi, and remote services can limit the speed a device receives.

<h3>Why does a download show MB/s when my plan uses Mbps?</h3>

Many apps display megabytes per second instead of megabits per second. Multiply MB/s by eight to estimate Mbps. A rate of 37.5 MB/s equals roughly 300 Mbps.

<h3>Do you need gigabit internet for 4K streaming?</h3>

One 4K stream doesn&rsquo;t require gigabit service. Gigabit becomes more useful with several simultaneous streams, frequent large downloads, cloud backups, and many active users.

<h3>Is 300 Mbps enough for a household?</h3>

A 300 Mbps plan can support several simultaneous activities, including browsing, video meetings, streaming, and gaming. A faster plan may be useful when multiple people regularly perform bandwidth-heavy activities at the same time.

<h3>Why is a speed test lower than the plan rate?</h3>

Wi-Fi conditions, device limits, network traffic, background activity, and the test server can reduce results. A wired test helps separate internet-service performance from wireless limitations.

The answers point to one principle: Plan speed describes shared capacity, while your equipment and usage determine the result. Your busiest hours provide the clearest basis for choosing a plan.

<h2>Choosing between Mbps and Gbps</h2>

Mbps and Gbps tell you how much data an internet connection can carry each second. One Gbps offers twice the theoretical capacity of 500 Mbps, but routine browsing and a single stream won&rsquo;t always reveal that difference.

Start with the available 300 Mbps tier and review performance during your household&rsquo;s busiest hours. Strong wired results paired with weak Wi-Fi point to a home-network upgrade rather than a faster plan. Consistently heavy simultaneous use or frequent large transfers can justify gigabit service.

The best choice matches your household&rsquo;s real workload. Choose enough capacity for your busiest periods without paying for speed you&rsquo;re unlikely to use.

To meet your household&rsquo;s needs, <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/fiber/">AT&amp;T Fiber</a> offers speed tiers ranging from 300 Mbps to 5 GIG for a fast, reliable connection.

All fiber plans come with <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/">AT&amp;T All-Fi</a>&reg;, which offers complete Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home as you stream, game, work, and browse.

Visit <a href="https://www.att.com/">att.com</a> to check <a href="https://www.att.com/buy/internet/plans/">availability</a> at your address and compare <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/">internet plans</a> that fit how your household uses the internet.

<a href="https://www.att.com/connecttochange/">Connecting changes everything</a>, and we&rsquo;re here to help keep you connected.

------

1Vivian Nguyen, &ldquo;Mbps, Gbps, MB, and GB: What Do They All Mean?&rdquo; BroadbandNow, July 23, 2026, https://broadbandnow.com/guides/what-are-mbps-gbps-mb-gb.

2Federal Communications Commission, &ldquo;Broadband Consumer Labels,&rdquo; accessed September 9, 2026, https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandlabels.

3Federal Communications Commission, &ldquo;Household Broadband Guide,&rdquo; accessed September 9, 2026, https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/household-broadband-guide.

4Chuck Lukaszewski, &ldquo;Wi-Fi 6E: The details you need to know,&rdquo; Wi-Fi Alliance, accessed September 11, 2026, https://www.wi-fi.org/beacon/chuck-lukaszewski/wi-fi-6e-the-details-you-need-to-know.

5National Institute of Standards and Technology, &ldquo;Computer Security Resource Center Glossary,&rdquo; accessed September 9, 2026, https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary.

Mbps vs Gbps: Understanding the differences

Why internet speed matters for video conferencing

Recommended bandwidth by call type and participant count

Home network setup for reliable video calls

For reliable one-on-one high-definition (HD) video calls, a practical internet speed for video conferencing is 5 to 8 megabits per second (Mbps) for both upload and download speed. Group meetings, screen sharing, and multiple devices may require more bandwidth to maintain clear audio and video.

Advertised speed is only one part of call quality. Upload and download speeds, <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/understanding-network-latency-how-to-improve-it/">latency</a>, connection stability, and other internet activity in your home are also important. <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/what-is-wifi/">Wi-Fi</a>&reg; interference, router placement, gaming, streaming, and cloud backups can reduce available bandwidth.

Key performance factors include:

<ul>
	<li>Your upload speed, which affects how clearly other participants see and hear you</li>
	<li>Your download speed, which affects the video, audio, and shared content you receive</li>
	<li>Your latency, jitter, and packet loss, which influence real-time performance</li>
	<li>Your household activity, such as streaming, gaming, and cloud backups</li>
	<li>Your home-network conditions, including router placement and Wi-Fi interference</li>
</ul>

Together, these factors affect video call quality, while bandwidth needs vary by call type and number of participants.

<h2 id="recommended-bandwidth-by-call-type-and-participant-count">Recommended bandwidth by call type and participant count</h2>

The recommended internet speed for video conferencing varies by call type and participant count. Higher video resolutions, more video feeds, and screen sharing generally require more bandwidth.

<h3>Broadband speed and connection quality</h3>

<a href="https://www.att.com/blog/what-is-high-speed-internet/">High-speed internet</a> can help support these demands. It generally refers to a broadband connection with sufficient download and upload capacity. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) raised its benchmark for fixed broadband on March 14, 2024. The benchmark calls for download speeds of 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps. A single video call often needs much less speed.1

Sufficient upload and download speeds can help support clear video and smooth screen sharing, while low latency and a stable connection help reduce lag, freezing, and dropped audio.

<h3>Bandwidth for simultaneous activity</h3>

Video calls and other online activities share your bandwidth. Your connection needs enough speed to handle them at the same time.

The table below lists practical minimums and preferred speeds for common video-conferencing activities.

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Call type
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Minimum upload
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Minimum download
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Preferred upload
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Preferred download
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Audio-only call
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			0.1&ndash;0.3 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			0.1&ndash;0.3 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			0.5&ndash;1 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			0.5&ndash;1 Mbps
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			One-on-one standard-definition video
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			0.6&ndash;1 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			1&ndash;2 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			2&ndash;3 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			2&ndash;3 Mbps
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			One-on-one high-definition video
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			1.5&ndash;3 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			2&ndash;4 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			5&ndash;8 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			5&ndash;8 Mbps
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Group call with three to six people
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			2&ndash;3 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			3&ndash;5 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			8&ndash;10 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			15&ndash;20 Mbps
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			Large meeting as an on-camera participant
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			3&ndash;5 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			5&ndash;8 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			8&ndash;10 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black">
			20&ndash;25 Mbps
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

These figures are approximate planning targets.2

Aim for more than the minimum speed. This gives your connection room for more people, shared content, and other internet use at home. That extra speed can help your calls stay stable as network demand changes.

<h2 id="why-internet-speed-matters-for-video-conferencing">Why internet speed matters for video conferencing</h2>

Your video call sends camera, microphone, and screen-sharing data while receiving content from other participants. Many home <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/">internet</a> plans provide faster downloads than uploads. This may work well for streaming but can limit video-call performance when upload capacity is insufficient.

<h3>Upload capacity and call performance</h3>

Low upload speed may freeze your video or break up your audio for other people. This can happen even when their video looks normal to you. Higher video resolutions and frame rates generally increase bandwidth use. Audio settings and the conferencing platform&rsquo;s compression methods also affect data use.

<h3>Latency, jitter, and packet loss</h3>

Speed isn&rsquo;t the only factor affecting your performance:

<ul>
	<li>Latency is the time your data takes to reach its destination. High latency causes pauses and may make you talk over other participants.</li>
	<li>Jitter is variation in your latency. Excessive jitter can make your audio sound choppy and your video stutter.</li>
	<li>Packet loss occurs when your data doesn&rsquo;t reach its destination. You may experience dropped words, distorted sound, and frozen images.</li>
</ul>

Turning off HD video can reduce your bandwidth demand when your connection becomes unstable. Disabling incoming video or switching to audio only can reduce it further during a temporary slowdown.

Because these problems can look alike during a meeting, measurements are the best way to distinguish them.

[Read: <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/download-speed-vs-upload-speed/">Understanding download speed vs. upload speed</a>]

<h2>Testing and measuring your connection </h2>

Run a <a href="https://www.att.com/support/speedtest/">speed test</a> before you upgrade your plan or buy new equipment. If possible, test with Ethernet first. This gives you a starting point that isn&rsquo;t affected by Wi-Fi range, walls, or interference.

Measurements to record

Record these measurements during each test:

<ul>
	<li>Your upload speed</li>
	<li>Your download speed</li>
	<li>Your latency, often displayed as ping or ping time</li>
	<li>Your jitter, if reported</li>
	<li>Your packet loss, if reported</li>
	<li>Whether you used Ethernet or Wi-Fi</li>
	<li>Your test location and time of day</li>
</ul>

Repeat your test under conditions that reflect how you normally use your connection:

<ul>
	<li>Over Wi-Fi from your usual workspace</li>
	<li>During your typical meeting hours</li>
	<li>While other household members use your network normally</li>
	<li>After pausing streaming, downloads, and cloud backups</li>
	<li>Near your router and farther away from it</li>
</ul>

Compare the results to find patterns. Your connection may change based on the time, location, connection type, or internet use in your home.

A recurring difference between Ethernet and Wi-Fi results may point to a wireless coverage or interference problem. If repeated Ethernet and Wi-Fi tests both show poor performance, investigate your service tier, modem or gateway, test device, and provider connection.

Don&rsquo;t rely on one unusually high or low result. Run several tests over multiple days and compare recurring patterns with the recommended bandwidth ranges. If your connection barely meets a minimum, it may become unstable when network activity increases.

Once you identify a recurring pattern, you can focus your troubleshooting on the most likely cause.

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<h2 id="troubleshooting-and-network-optimization">Troubleshooting and network optimization</h2>

You can correct many video-call problems without replacing equipment or purchasing a faster internet plan. Begin with simple changes before moving to advanced adjustments.

<h3>Basic troubleshooting steps</h3>

Try these basic troubleshooting steps first:

<ul>
	<li>Use Ethernet for important calls.</li>
	<li>Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or gateway.</li>
	<li>Turn off HD video if your meeting becomes unstable.</li>
	<li>Close applications and browser tabs you don&rsquo;t need.</li>
	<li>Disable virtual backgrounds on older computers.</li>
	<li>Restart your modem, router, and computer.</li>
	<li>Test after making one change at a time.</li>
</ul>

If these changes don&rsquo;t help, consider these network adjustments:

<ul>
	<li>Select a less congested Wi-Fi channel if your router supports manual channel selection.</li>
	<li>Enable Quality of Service (QoS) controls, if available, to prioritize your work device or real-time traffic.</li>
	<li>Replace damaged or outdated Ethernet cables.</li>
	<li>Check whether an older router is limiting your available speed.</li>
</ul>

Router settings such as channel selection and QoS can help manage available bandwidth, but they can&rsquo;t increase the speed included with your internet plan.

If your wired tests repeatedly fall below your plan&rsquo;s expected performance, document the dates and results before contacting technical support or your internet provider.

If these fixes help only temporarily, the physical network setup deserves a closer look.

<h2 id="home-network-setup-for-reliable-video-calls">Home network setup for reliable video calls</h2>

Your connection type, competing devices, router placement, and workspace conditions can all affect performance.

<h3>Router and mesh Wi-Fi placement and network usage</h3>

Use these practices to create a more dependable video-conferencing setup:

<ul>
	<li>Position your workspace near your router when using Wi-Fi.</li>
	<li>If your router allows manual band selection, use the 5 GHz band near your router and the 2.4 GHz band when you need greater range.</li>
	<li>Place your router in a central, elevated, open location away from large appliances and other interference sources.</li>
	<li>Pause high-resolution streaming, gaming, cloud backups, and large downloads during your meetings.</li>
	<li>Schedule bandwidth-intensive activities outside your typical meeting hours.</li>
	<li>Ask other users to limit network demand during interviews, presentations, and critical calls.</li>
	<li>Keep your computer, router, camera, and conferencing software updated.</li>
	<li>Consider mesh Wi-Fi for a large or multistory home.</li>
</ul>

Place your mesh units where they can still receive a strong signal, not inside an existing dead zone. Each unit needs a reliable connection to your main router or another mesh unit to extend coverage effectively.

<h3>Creating a reliable workspace</h3>

A dedicated workspace can also improve consistency. Position your computer where walls, metal objects, and appliances cause minimal signal obstruction. Use automatic channel selection or choose a less congested channel if neighboring Wi-Fi networks create interference.

If your device remains in one location, a permanent Ethernet connection may be your most dependable option. 
 
These practices can improve the consistency of your home network. The following answers can help you evaluate the remaining speed and connection tradeoffs.

<h2>Internet speed for video conferencing FAQs</h2>

These answers cover connection speed and video-call performance.

<h3>What speed do I need for video calls?</h3>

The speed you need depends on your call type and other activity sharing your connection. For a one-on-one HD call, 5 to 8 Mbps in both directions is a practical planning target.

For group meetings and regular screen sharing, consider 8 to 10 Mbps upload and 15 to 20 Mbps download. If your household has simultaneous calls or other bandwidth-intensive activity, you&rsquo;ll need more total capacity.

<h3>Why does upload speed matter?</h3>

Your upload speed determines how much outgoing data your connection can transmit each second. When enabled, your camera, microphone, and shared screen continually generate outgoing data during a meeting.

Limited upload capacity may cause other participants to receive frozen video, delayed screen sharing, or broken audio. This can happen even when the incoming video on your screen remains clear.

Adequate upload capacity helps other participants see and hear you clearly.

<h3>What else affects call quality?</h3>

Bandwidth is only one part of your video-call performance. Your network consistency, wireless conditions, and computer resources can also affect your experience.

Common causes of poor call quality include:

<ul>
	<li>High latency, jitter, or packet loss</li>
	<li>A weak Wi-Fi signal</li>
	<li>Wireless interference</li>
	<li>Network congestion</li>
	<li>An outdated router or device software</li>
	<li>Excessive background applications</li>
	<li>Limited computer memory or processor performance</li>
</ul>

Evaluating these factors can help you prevent unnecessary internet-plan upgrades.

<h3>Does faster internet always improve calls?</h3>

A faster plan can help when insufficient bandwidth is causing your problem. Test with Ethernet first. If your wired calls work well but your Wi-Fi calls don&rsquo;t, focus on wireless coverage and interference instead of immediately upgrading your plan.

Upgrade your plan if repeated tests show that you don&rsquo;t have enough available bandwidth to support your calls and simultaneous household activity.

<h3>Is Ethernet better than Wi-Fi?</h3>

Both connection types can support your video calls, but Ethernet usually provides a more consistent connection than Wi-Fi. It avoids the wireless interference, distance, and obstruction issues that can affect Wi-Fi.

Reliable Wi-Fi may be adequate for your routine meetings. Ethernet is preferable for interviews, presentations, webinars, and other calls where connection stability is especially important.

A reliable video call depends on more than internet speed. Upload capacity, latency, network congestion, Wi-Fi coverage, and connected devices can all affect call quality. Testing your connection during a typical workday can help identify problems and determine whether adjusting your setup or service could improve performance.

To strengthen your home connection, explore high-speed internet with <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/fiber/" target="_blank">AT&amp;T Fiber</a>&reg;, which includes Wi-Fi coverage with <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/" target="_blank">AT&amp;T All-Fi</a>&reg; in all plans. If you don&rsquo;t have access to fiber internet at your address, you can still get fast, reliable internet with <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/internet-air/" target="_blank">AT&amp;T Internet Air</a>&reg;. <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/availability/">Check availability</a> at your address to see your service options.

<a href="https://www.att.com/connecttochange/">Connecting changes everything</a>, and we&rsquo;re here to help keep you connected.

-------

1Federal Communications Commission, &ldquo;FCC Increases Broadband Speed Benchmark,&rdquo; March 14, 2024, https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-401205A1.pdf.

2The bandwidth ranges in this guide are editorial planning estimates intended to help you evaluate your connection. They aren&rsquo;t federal standards, platform-specific requirements, or guarantees of performance.

Guide to the internet speed needed for video conferencing

How the number of devices affects streaming

Internet speed requirements for streaming

For casual, standard-definition (SD) streaming, a slower internet plan may be enough. If you&rsquo;re streaming in high definition (HD) or 4K, have other high-data activities, and want the best quality without lag, you may want a faster plan.

Although lag can be caused by your streaming service, it can also occur when you have high demand on your home network or when your connection is shared, and neighbors are competing for bandwidth. &nbsp;

The best internet connection for streaming can:

<ul>
	<li>Support multiple users simultaneously</li>
	<li>Have enough speed and bandwidth for high-data activities, like streaming and gaming</li>
	<li>Offer low latency to reduce lag</li>
	<li>Include a plan with unlimited data</li>
</ul>

The <a href="https://techbuzz.att.com/tips-tricks/internet/how-to-choose-the-best-internet-provider/">best internet provider</a> to meet your streaming needs offers a variety of plans, as well as network monitoring to deliver a quality experience.

<h2>Choosing the right internet service provider</h2>

The type of internet connection you choose and the internet service provider (ISP) that delivers it play an important role in your internet quality for streaming. You need to consider what&rsquo;s available in your area, how you&rsquo;ll use the internet, and what the ISP offers, including products, services, and network reliability/uptime.

A few elements to consider are:

<h3>Asymmetrical vs symmetrical speeds</h3>

Asymmetrical speeds have a faster download speed than upload speed. It may be sufficient if you&rsquo;re streaming content, like your favorite shows, or other activities that rely on download.

If, on the other hand, you&rsquo;re also sending information over the internet&mdash;livestreaming, video calling, online gaming&mdash;you need fast, reliable internet with symmetrical speeds (equal download and upload).

Internet providers may offer a variety of connection speed options, depending on the internet connection type. The key is finding the right speed tier that supports your household.

<h3>Data caps and limitations </h3>

Next, determine whether the internet provider has data caps on its plans. A data cap is the maximum amount of data you can use per billing cycle. If you exceed the amount of data allowed in your plan, your ISP may slow down your speed until your next billing cycle.

<h3>Network monitoring and uptime</h3>

Ask the ISP you&rsquo;re considering if they monitor their network for performance and if they take fast, proactive steps to address challenges. Ask if there&rsquo;s support or credits available in the event of an outage.

Choosing your ISP is the first step for a quality streaming experience. Before choosing the plan that suits your needs for streaming, consider the number of devices that&rsquo;ll be connected to the local network in your home. &nbsp;

<h2 id="how-the-number-of-devices-affects-streaming">How the number of devices affects streaming</h2>

Each device in your home that&rsquo;s connected to your network is moving data&mdash;either downloading data, uploading data, or both&mdash;creating &ldquo;traffic&rdquo; on your network. Sometimes, that traffic is active, like when you&rsquo;re streaming videos, and other times, it&rsquo;s passive, such as app updates. All of this adds to the activity on your internet connection.

The more devices you have connected, the more your streaming quality can be impacted. Chances are, between your mobile devices and other items in your home, you may have more tech connected to your internet than you realize.

&ldquo;Showcasing a 10-year view, the average U.S. internet household has about 17 connected devices and, according to Parks&rsquo; research, about 45% of U.S. internet households now own at least one smart home device.&rdquo;1

Indicators that the number of connected devices might be challenging your local network are:

<ul>
	<li>Lagging, buffering, and freezing of your streaming</li>
	<li>Downgraded video quality, such as from 4K/ultra-high definition (UHD) to 720p HD or 480p SD</li>
	<li>Reduced speed for your connected devices</li>
</ul>

In this case, it&rsquo;s possible that there&rsquo;s too much demand from your devices. If you&rsquo;re experiencing challenges with your existing plan or are choosing a new plan because you&rsquo;re <a href="https://www.att.com/moving/">moving</a> or changing service, consider which common speed tiers from ISPs can support your household.

<h2 id="internet-speed-requirements-for-streaming">Internet speed requirements for streaming</h2>

The internet speed for streaming that you need depends on more than the fact you&rsquo;ll use it for streaming. Streaming needs depend on a few factors:

<ul>
	<li>The number of people in your household</li>
	<li>How many people are streaming simultaneously</li>
	<li>If you&rsquo;re streaming in standard definition (SD), high definition (HD), or 4K</li>
	<li>Which Wi-Fi&reg; standard your gateway uses (for example, <a href="https://techbuzz.att.com/buying-guides/wi-fi-6-vs-wi-fi-7/">Wi-Fi 6</a>/6E, Wi-Fi 7)</li>
	<li>If your device is of the same standard</li>
</ul>

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:500px">
	<thead>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:58px">
			Speed
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:100px">
			Best for
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:121px">
			Comparison to cable
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:168px">
			If this sounds like you&hellip;
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:191px">
			You might want to upgrade if&hellip;
			</td>
		</tr>
	</thead>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:58px">
			300 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:100px">
			Everyday streaming + work/school (2&ndash;3 people)
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:121px">
			15x faster upload speeds than cable internet.
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:168px">
			Streaming in HD/4K on a couple TVs, game online, take video calls, and have multiple phones/tablets + smart-home devices online at once
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:1px solid black; width:191px">
			More than a couple simultaneous streams/games/video calls start to buffer or lag, big downloads (games/updates) feel too slow, or you&rsquo;re adding lots more devices/users
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:58px">
			500 Mbps
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:100px">
			Busy households 
			(3&ndash;5 people)
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:121px">
			20x faster upload speeds than cable internet.
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:168px">
			Multiple people stream (including some 4K), game online, and do work/school while cloud backups/updates run
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:191px">
			Big downloads feel slower than expected, your home is frequently &ldquo;maxed out,&rdquo; or you have ~20+ connected devices
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:58px">
			1 GIG
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:100px">
			Heavy use 
			(5+ people / power users)
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:121px">
			25x faster upload speeds than cable internet.
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:168px">
			Lots of simultaneous streaming and gaming, plus faster large downloads; you may also upload larger files (plan upload dependent)
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:191px">
			Upload multi-GB files regularly, do content-creation style workflows, or you see frequent peak-time slowdowns (could also be Wi-Fi&reg; or network congestion)
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:58px">
			5 GIG
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:100px">
			Power users with multi-gig gear
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:121px">
			134x faster than cable internet.
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:168px">
			Heavy multi-user uploading and very large file transfers&mdash;especially with multi-gig wired networking and/or Wi-Fi 6E/7 clients
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid black; border-top:none; width:191px">
			Already have (or plan to use) multi-gig capable devices/networking and you routinely move very large files or run studio-like workloads at home
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

&nbsp;

Comparison of AT&amp;T Fiber starting, mid and high-speed tiers to Xfinity, Spectrum and Cox. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds vary. For 5-Gig single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.

A good balance in your speed tier is one that supports your connected devices but also gives you headroom to expand. It&rsquo;s also important to remember that although streaming shows from streaming providers rely on sufficient download speeds, if you&rsquo;re streaming video games in your home, upload speeds are just as important.

<h2 id="video-game-streaming">Video game streaming</h2>

<a href="https://www.att.com/gaming/online/">Internet for </a><a href="https://www.att.com/gaming/online/">online gaming</a>&mdash;and livestreaming your play, if applicable&mdash;depends on the types of games you tend to play and other devices that may need to share your internet connection, like a smartphone or camera for your livestream.

<ul>
	<li>Basic gaming &ndash; If you&rsquo;re playing a locally-hosted game with minimal internet connectivity needs, the lower speeds, which are still blazing fast, are typically more than enough to have your game run smoothly.</li>
	<li>High-fidelity gaming &ndash; Online games, hosted on a server that you connect to play online with others, may require a faster connection with lower latency. A 500 Mbps plan may be more than enough for a premium experience. &nbsp;</li>
	<li>Video game streaming &ndash; Next-level gaming that is livestreamed on interactive media, typically for an audience, needs the high-speed, low-latency, and high bandwidth of fiber internet. In addition, symmetrical speeds are key. 
	 
	Live streaming for video games may place other demands on your connection, like team communications through social platforms, messaging apps, video uploads, and other online activities.2 
	 
	For this reason, a 300 Mbps plan may suffice, but it&rsquo;s important to calculate all the simultaneous activities in your home to determine which plan gives you a seamless experience with headroom included. 
	 
	Latency is key for gaming, so the <a href="https://techbuzz.att.com/buying-guides/what-is-the-best-internet-for-gaming-questions-answered/">best internet for gaming</a> is fiber internet thanks to its low latency, symmetrical upload and download speeds, and reliability even with multiple players.</li>
</ul>

Gaming and the type, household size, number of simultaneous streams, and online activities affect your speed requirements for streaming. If your streaming quality is struggling with your current speed tier and Wi-Fi, a few adjustments in your home may be able to improve your connectivity.

[Read: <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/is-500-mbps-fast/">Is 500 Mbps fast?</a>]

<h2 id="enhancing-your-streaming-experience">Enhancing your streaming experience </h2>

Once you&rsquo;ve signed up for service with your ISP, you can take steps within your home to optimize what your service has to offer. This includes:

<ul>
	<li>Placing your router in a centralized location (such as your living room). Be mindful that walls, appliances, and other electronics can affect the strength of your signal.</li>
	<li>Adjusting your video quality settings. Lowering the quality of your video streaming may help with buffering and playback issues.</li>
</ul>

If you have a lot of simultaneous activity at peak traffic times and notice more buffering, a few things you can try to free up bandwidth are:

<ul>
	<li>Disconnect devices if you&rsquo;re not using them.</li>
	<li>Check your device settings to see if you can run automatic app and software updates overnight.</li>
	<li>Use the Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router to give priority to certain devices or apps, so they work better when the network is busy.</li>
</ul>

It&rsquo;s common for Wi-Fi users to be unaware of which Wi-Fi standard they&rsquo;re using. Older standards can handle significantly less traffic than newer standards, like Wi-Fi 6/6E and <a href="https://techbuzz.att.com/buying-guides/what-is-wi-fi-7/">Wi-Fi 7</a>. In addition, to reap the full benefits of that standard, your connected devices&mdash;like your phone, tablet, or laptop&mdash;need to support the same standard.

If you&rsquo;ve tried these steps and still encounter issues, don&rsquo;t hesitate to contact your provider to make sure you&rsquo;re getting fast, reliable service so you can stream without issues.

[Read: <a href="https://techbuzz.att.com/buying-guides/wi-fi-6-vs-wi-fi-7/">Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7: How are they different?</a>]

<h2>AT&amp;T internet connectivity options for streaming</h2>

We deliver fast, reliable fiber internet for streaming, gaming, and the connected experience in your home with <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/fiber/">AT&amp;T Fiber</a>&reg;.3

AT&amp;T Fiber received Ookla&rsquo;s first-ever&nbsp;Best Home Internet&nbsp;award. AT&amp;T Fiber also has the fastest speeds in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive time.4 Even better, your service is backed by the AT&amp;T Guarantee SM.5

Fiber availability is still growing, so if you don&rsquo;t have access to fiber just yet or live in a rural area, we still have you covered with our 5G home internet, <a href="https://www.att.com/internet/internet-air/">AT&amp;T Internet Air</a>&reg;. You can stay connected with fast, reliable speeds on our powerful 5G network&mdash;all with easy self-setup.

For complete Wi-Fi coverage that connects your devices wirelessly, <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/">AT&amp;T All-Fi</a>&reg; is our home Wi-Fi experience. You can also add All-Fi Pro for an additional charge for enhanced Wi-Fi performance.
Together, you can have the foundation for quality streaming through your smart TV and connected devices. 
 
<a href="https://www.att.com/connecttochange/">Connecting changes everything</a>. We&rsquo;re here to help keep you connected.

<div>________________
<div>
1The Smart Home in 2025: Outlook and Opportunities, Fiber Broadband Association, January 29, 2025, https://fiberbroadband.org/2025/01/29/the-smart-home-in-2025-outlook-and-opportunities/. 
2 &ldquo;What internet speed is required for professional Twitch streaming?&rdquo;, AT&amp;T Business, Accessed March 6, 2026, https://www.business.att.com/resources/knowledge-center/what-internet-speed-is-best-for-esport-streaming.html. 
3 AT&amp;T Fiber: Limited availability in select areas. 
4 Top-rated &amp; Fastest Internet, AT&amp;T Fiber: based on analysis by Ookla&reg; of Speedtest Intelligence&reg; data, 2H 2025. 
5 Learn more at att.com/guarantee.
</div>
</div>

<div>
&nbsp;
</div>

What internet connection do I need for streaming?

Extending Wi-Fi 7 coverage with mesh extenders

What equipment and devices do you need for Wi-Fi 7?

Donny is a Principle Product Management &amp; Development employee and has experience with Wi-Fi and related technologies.

The latest generation of <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/">Wi-Fi</a>&reg; technology is here: Wi-Fi 7. It delivers faster speeds and increased bandwidth, so your devices perform at their best. But what is Wi-Fi 7, exactly?

Wi-Fi 7 leads to a better-connected experience for multi-device families, smart homes, applications that require high-bandwidth, and more. While <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/what-is-wi-fi-6-a-quick-introduction">Wi-Fi 6</a> met the demands of its time, Wi-Fi 7 introduces forward-looking capabilities designed for high-bandwidth applications and smart devices.

<ul>
	<li>Wi-Fi 7 is designed to be faster and offer greater bandwidth than Wi-Fi 6 and earlier Wi-Fi standards.</li>
	<li>Wi-Fi 7 allows more devices to connect to a single Wi-Fi network.</li>
	<li>Popular uses for Wi-Fi, such as gaming, streaming, and multi-device homes, place higher demands on Wi-Fi for sufficient speed, low latency (the time it takes for data to travel across a <a href="https://www.att.com/offers/network/">network</a> from one point to another), and bandwidth (the amount of data a network can carry in a specific time).</li>
	<li>Though not compatible with every device, the future of Wi-Fi 7 makes it the standard Wi-Fi connectivity method for new devices.</li>
</ul>

Wi-Fi 7 enables you to connect more devices in your home while still having strong, reliable connectivity for a more consistent, high-quality experience. Previous generations of Wi-Fi leveled up the game for Wi-Fi connectivity. However, based on speed alone, Wi-Fi 7 blows them away.

<h2 id="how-wi-fi-7-compares-to-previous-generations">How Wi-Fi 7 compares to previous generations</h2>

<a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/" target="_blank">Wi-Fi</a> remains the primary method for connecting devices to the internet. What immediately comes to mind are mobile devices, laptops, and gaming consoles. But now that the Internet of Things (IoT) has made it possible to connect almost anything to the internet, Wi-Fi connectivity now includes smart homes &ndash; devices that can be wirelessly connected and controlled. It includes lighting, security, HVAC, appliances, and a host of other devices.

Wi-Fi 7 puts the capabilities to power this growth of connected devices in your home in your hand. While Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E offer speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps (which is three times faster than Wi-Fi 5), Wi-Fi 7 supports transfer rates faster than previous generations of Wi-Fi.

In real-world terms, it means that Wi-Fi 6 can usually support high-speed connections in homes that stream, game, and browse. However, it can&rsquo;t always handle traffic efficiently. But with Wi-Fi 7, multiple people can seamlessly connect multiple devices alongside a slew of smart home features, security systems, and gaming consoles with low latency for each one.

When comparing <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/wi-fi-6-vs-wi-fi-7" target="_blank">Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7</a>, the latter is almost 5 times faster. Wi-Fi 7 is on the fast track to becoming the modern standard. It also supports all three bands of Wi-Fi 6E (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), enabling you to connect more devices without experiencing network delays due to congestion or bandwidth limitations.

Curious about the exact specs of Wi-Fi 7 and what makes it the new standard? Let&rsquo;s check out some specifics.

<h2 id="features-of-wi-fi-7">Features of Wi-Fi 7</h2>

First, some basics. There are several Wi-Fi 7 features that make it stand out from earlier generations. Ultimately, these features are designed to increase speed and bandwidth and add security to your network.

Let&rsquo;s get technical for a minute. Wi-Fi uses bands to transmit traffic from your devices to the router. The bands are measured in gigahertz (GHz) &ndash; 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for Wi-Fi 6, then Wi-Fi 6E added a 6 GHz band. Wi-Fi 7 uses 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but like Wi-Fi 6E, it can also use the 6 GHz band.

These wireless frequencies measure speed and coverage (range). Generally, lower GHz bands offer more coverage, but the trade-off is a slower speed. Higher GHz bands offer faster speeds but less coverage but there&rsquo;s a solution for that, which we&rsquo;ll discuss later.

Within each band are sub-bands called channels, which are specific frequencies that transmit data. The frequencies are assigned by traffic type. For example, Bluetooth&reg; requires a different frequency than wireless earbuds.

Wi-Fi channels are like the lanes on a highway, directing traffic between your device to your Wi-Fi router. Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are in the middle lane. Wi-Fi 7, however, is the express, high-occupancy-vehicle lane.

More channels mean less congestion for your data, and ultimately better performance with less interference.

<h3 id="new-channels-for-faster-speeds-320-mhz-channels-and-4k-qam">New channels for faster speeds: 320 MHz channels and 4K-QAM</h3>

Channels are measured by their bandwidth in megahertz (MHz), with higher numbers indicating a wider channels that can accommodate more traffic. Wi-Fi 7 introduces a 320 MHz channel. It&rsquo;s significantly wider than the 20 MHz and 40 MHz channels common in the 2.4 GHz band of Wi-Fi 6, and 160 MHz channels available in the 5 GHz band. This wider capacity enables you to stream 4K movies on multiple devices in your home while others play online games on Wi-Fi 7, all without buffering.

Wider channels, however, can mean the possibility for more congestion. Wi-Fi 7 addresses this by having more channels that don&rsquo;t overlap. This opens the way for better speed and lower latency for a smoother overall internet experience.

Here&rsquo;s a Wi-Fi 7 mouthful: 4096-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (4K-QAM). Simply put, 4K-QAM makes it possible to send more data through digital modulation, making it faster and more reliable. It delivers data 20% more efficiently than Wi-Fi 6&rsquo;s 1024-QAM.1 If you require Wi-Fi that delivers a more seamless, reliable, and faster data transfer experience, you&rsquo;ll find this through 4K-QAM in Wi-Fi 7.

<h3 id="improved-performance-multi-link-operation-mlo-and-deterministic-latency">Improved performance: Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and deterministic latency</h3>

In the past, devices could only connect to one channel (or frequency). Wi-Fi 7, however, allows a single device to simultaneously connect to multiple channels across different frequencies. Each device has better signal reliability and reduced lag.

Wi-Fi 7 allows for deterministic latency&mdash;the ability to measure exactly how long it takes to send and receive a signal between devices. It measures this delay and minimizes it for a smoother overall experience.

<h3 id="more-bandwidth-and-less-interference-multi-resource-units-mru-support-and-puncturing">More bandwidth and less interference: Multi-Resource Units (MRU) support and puncturing</h3>

Resource Units (RU) are small groupings of different radio frequencies that help direct traffic efficiently. They support signal transmission to your different devices. Previously, only one RU would support everything connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Now, there&rsquo;s Multi-RU puncturing. It allows users to connect to multiple RU channels for less interference and quicker connections for everyone using the network.

While these acronyms and technical terms can feel intimidating, the simple breakdown is these features provide tangible benefits toward increasing the speed of your network, lowering your latency, and increasing your bandwidth to lead to a smoother, faster Wi-Fi connection. If comparing <a href="https://www.att.com/blog/wi-fi-6-vs-wi-fi-7">Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7</a>, Wi-Fi 7 provides a faster, more reliable connection for more devices.

<h2 id="key-benefits-of-wi-fi-7">Key benefits of Wi-Fi 7</h2>

So how do these new and improved features benefit your Wi-Fi network? Basically, they elevate your experience as an internet user.

Key Wi-Fi 7 benefits include:

<h3 id="faster-speeds-and-lower-latency">Faster speeds and lower latency</h3>

Wi-Fi 7 can deliver a theoretical max speed of 46 Gbps. This speed is based on ideal, lab-controlled conditions. What you&rsquo;ll receive in the real world will not achieve this at this time; however, Wi-Fi 7 is still fast enough for multiple users to simultaneously game online and stream high-definition videos and movies. You can also update or download large files, like games and videos.

Since Wi-Fi 7 significantly lowers latency, it reduces lag during gaming, buffering during streaming, and overall improves data transmission for Wi-Fi-connected devices.

<h3 id="enhanced-gaming-and-streaming-performance">Enhanced gaming and streaming performance</h3>

In lab-controlled conditions, Wi-Fi 7 can achieve sub-2 millisecond (ms) latency times&mdash;a nearly instantaneous data transmission time. Although real-world latency isn&rsquo;t this low, it&rsquo;s lower than the latency of older generations of Wi-Fi. This matters in gaming because the lower your overall latency, the more seamless your online experience.

There are a few common thresholds to measure an acceptable level of latency in gaming:

<ul>
	<li>
	<ul>
		<li>Above 150 milliseconds (ms): It&rsquo;s highly likely you&rsquo;ll notice some visual lag during online play.</li>
		<li>Between 30 ms and 150 ms: Often sufficient for smooth performance but can occasionally cause delays.</li>
		<li>Below 30 ms: Recommended for serious gamers and streamers who play online and broadcast their games at the same time.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
</ul>

Gaming, streaming, and the quality of your Wi-Fi experience are certainly priorities but so is protecting your data. Each device connected to a network can be an entry point for data security threats. Wi-Fi 7 adds more protections for your data.

<h3 id="enhanced-privacy-and-security">Enhanced privacy and security</h3>

Wi-Fi 7 uses Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)&mdash;a security protocol that was established in 2020. It enhances network security with a variety of safety features, including:

<ul>
	<li>
	<ul>
		<li>Better password protection. Offline password guesses, or those not within the physical space of the Wi-Fi network, are limited to one chance per device. If hackers want to try again, they must be physically present in the same area as the signal.</li>
		<li>Information sent over WPA3-protected networks is scrambled (encrypted), sent to its destination, and then decoded.</li>
		<li>Session encryption. WPA3 networks are also encrypted per device and login session. In the past, anyone with access to a Wi-Fi network could see all the traffic that traveled through it. Now, only you can see what you do during a given browsing session.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
</ul>

Overall, Wi-Fi 7 significantly improves the overall user experience.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Feature</td>
			<td>Wi-Fi 6</td>
			<td>Wi-Fi 6E</td>
			<td>Wi-Fi 7</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Maximum speed*</td>
			<td>9.6 Gbps</td>
			<td>9.6 Gbps</td>
			<td>46 Gbps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Channel width</td>
			<td>Up to 160 MHz</td>
			<td>Up to 160 MHz</td>
			<td>Up to 320 MHz</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Modulation</td>
			<td>1024-QAM</td>
			<td>1024-QAM</td>
			<td>4096-QAM</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Latency</td>
			<td>Low</td>
			<td>Lower</td>
			<td>Extremely low due to MLO</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multi-link</td>
			<td>No</td>
			<td>No</td>
			<td>Yes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Best for</td>
			<td>Home networks, Internet of Things (IoT), multi-device families</td>
			<td>Smart homes, gaming, high-bandwidth applications</td>
			<td>High-end gaming, AR/VR, ultra-connected smart homes</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

*Based on ideal, lab-controlled conditions. Speed varies by device.

These benefits make adopting Wi-Fi 7 as the new standard an easy choice. And though not all devices are currently Wi-Fi 7 compatible, today&rsquo;s devices often come standard with the ability to reap Wi-Fi 7&rsquo;s benefits.

<h2 id="extending-wi-fi-7-coverage-with-mesh-extenders">Extending Wi-Fi 7 coverage with mesh extenders</h2>

Increasing Wi-Fi speed often reduces the range, or distance, of which your signal remains strong. The farther you are away from the router, the weaker your signal. You can extend your signal with mesh <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/extender/">extenders</a>. When you place these around an area, such as your home, they operate together to improve coverage by creating one, seamless network based on your primary router.

<h2 id="what-equipment-and-devices-do-you-need-for-wi-fi-7">What equipment and devices do you need for Wi-Fi 7?</h2>

Wi-Fi 7 devices&mdash;routers and mobile devices&mdash;are backwards compatible. They can function with older generations of Wi-Fi and capitalize on their capabilities. However, only Wi-Fi 7 devices connected to a Wi-Fi 7 network can experience its benefits. The features available to you are based on the device. In other words, if you have a Wi-Fi 6 device on a Wi-Fi 7 network, you&rsquo;ll only experience Wi-Fi 6 benefits.

The number of Wi-Fi 7 devices is expanding. Check your devices to know which generation of Wi-Fi they&rsquo;re compatible with. When new devices are released, you can decide if you&rsquo;re ready to upgrade to gain the complete benefits and security of Wi-Fi 7.

We offer programs to make that easier. For mobile devices, we offer <a href="https://www.att.com/plans/next-up-anytime/">AT&amp;T Next Up Anytime</a>SM, which enables you to get the latest smartphone every year with your choice of plan.2 We have you covered for your home Wi-Fi router, too, with AT&amp;T All-Fi and All-Fi Pro.

<h2 id="att-all-fi-all-fi-pro-and-wi-fi-7">AT&amp;T All-Fi&reg;, All-Fi Pro, and Wi-Fi 7</h2>

Our fiber network delivers ultra-fast speeds&nbsp;to homes in select areas around the country, and now with <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/">All-Fi Pro</a> you can&nbsp;enhance your Wi-Fi performance with our premium equipment upgrade program3, starting with Wi-Fi 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;To help that powerful signal reach every corner of your home, All-Fi Pro includes mesh Wi-Fi extenders.4 Each extender can boost Wi-Fi coverage by up to 1,000 square feet to help eliminate dead zones.

Because your security is a top priority, we&rsquo;re also leveling up your online protection with All-Fi Pro. With <a href="https://www.att.com/security/advanced-internet-security/" target="_blank">AT&amp;T ActiveArmor&reg; advanced internet security</a> included, you&rsquo;ll get more privacy and safety features like VPN at Home to mask your IP address from online snoops and third-party trackers,4 ID Monitoring that alerts you if your personal information is leaked5 and more.

Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.att.com/">att.com</a>&nbsp;to browse our products and find out how <a href="https://www.att.com/wi-fi/">All-Fi and All-Fi Pro</a>&mdash;with Wi-Fi 7 included&mdash;can take your home network to the next generation.

This article was updated by Zoya Cochran on April 7, 2026, to reflect trademark changes.

1&ldquo;How Wi-Fi 7 achieves a faster data rate with 4K QAM,&rdquo; Asus, December 16, 2023, https://edgeup.asus.com/2023/how-wifi-7-achieves-a-faster-data-rate-with-4k-qam/. 
2Req&rsquo;s purchase of eligible smartphone on AT&amp;T Installment PlanSM&nbsp;with extra $10/mo. Next Up Anytime feature, qualified credit and elig. svc. Upgrade elig. with qualified turn-in. Max 3 upgrades in a 12-month period. Limits &amp; restr&rsquo;s apply. 
3Must maintain All-Fi Pro, in good standing, for min of 12 mos. to be eligible, for equipment upgrade. Limited to one upgrade every 36 mos. 
4Req&rsquo;s AT&amp;T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service for up to 5 Extenders at the sole discretion of AT&amp;T. 
5ID Monitoring feature must be enabled and may not detect all compromises of your personal data.

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