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What is download speed and how much do you need?
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Download speed affects more than just your downloads. Here’s everything you need to know about download speed, including what it is, how much you need, and how you can improve it
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 6 March 2025
What is download speed?
Download speed is how fast data moves from the internet to your device. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps), with a higher download speed meaning that files, videos, and web pages load faster.
Download speed determines how smoothly you can do things online. When you watch a video, listen to music, or open a website, your device is downloading data from the internet. That means the more download speed you have; the faster things will load when you’re online.
If the download speed is too slow, you’ll experience buffering when you’re streaming your favourite show and more lag when you’re gaming online.
Your broadband provider usually sets the maximum speed you can get, and when many devices in your home are streaming or downloading at the same time, they share that speed, slowing everything down if your speed isn’t fast enough.
What can affect your download speed?
Your download speed is limited by the maximum speed provided in your internet plan. If your plan offers 100 Mbps, for example, you cannot exceed that speed, even if your hardware or connection could technically handle more. That’s why it’s important to choose a broadband package with enough broadband speed for all your internet needs to keep your experience as smooth as it can be.
If multiple people or devices use the internet at once, the speed is split between them. Upgrading your plan can help if you need faster downloads. Always check your plan details to know your speed limits.
Our broadband deals range from 125Mbps, to 1130 mbps and beyond, so it’s important to compare them all to find a package that works for you.
Your download speed can depend on the type of internet connection you use. For example, fiber-optic connections are usually faster and more reliable than older types like DSL or satellite, and, if you’re using Wi-Fi, your speed might drop if you’re far from the router or if walls and furniture block the signal.
If you’re using an old type of broadband like ADSL, it may be time for an upgrade if you’ve craving faster speeds. Use our helpful postcode checker to see what’s available in your area.
When too many people and devices share the same network, your download speeds can slow down. For example, if everyone in your home is streaming, gaming, or video-calling at once, your bandwidth gets divided.
Public Wi-Fi networks (like cafes or airports) are especially prone to congestion during busy hours since there's lots of people using the internet at the same time.
Wi-Fi signals weaken as you move farther from the router. Walls, floors, or large objects (like furniture) can block or weaken the signal further. A weak Wi-Fi connection leads to slower download speeds, especially in large homes or spaces with obstacles.
Older or low-quality routers may not also support faster internet speeds or newer Wi-Fi standards. Upgrading to a modern router can improve performance. Routers that overheat or have outdated software may also slow down connections.
Apps running in the background, like cloud backups, software updates, or streaming services, can secretly use your bandwidth.
This means less bandwidth is available for your downloads, making them slower. Even if you’re not actively using these apps, they might still be running in the background, syncing files, updating software, or streaming content. To speed up your download speed, check for and close unnecessary apps, pause cloud backups, and schedule updates for times when you’re not using the internet.
A wired Ethernet connection typically provides faster, more stable speeds than WiFi. That’s because wireless connections are more prone to interference, signal drops, or speed fluctuations, which can reduce download performance.
With an Ethernet cable, your device is directly connected to the router, ensuring a steady and uninterrupted connection. This is especially useful for downloading large files, streaming in high definition, or online gaming.
What download speed do I need?
The download speed you need depends on what you do online and how many people or devices use the internet at the same time. For basic tasks like browsing websites, checking emails, and social media, you only need about 5-10 Mbps per device. However, if you stream videos in HD, you’ll want at least 25 Mbps to avoid buffering and around 50-100 Mbps if you want to stream in 4K.
You’ll likely need much higher speeds if you have multiple people using the internet at once because you will all be sharing the bandwidth. A family that streams movies, plays games, and works from home may need 200 Mbps or more to keep things running smoothly. Large households or smart homes with many connected devices may require 500 Mbps to 1000 mbps for the best experience.
What is a good download speed?
For streaming in HD or 4K, video calls, and online gaming, a download speed of more than 100 Mbps is considered a good speed for keeping everything running smoothly. But if multiple people in your home are streaming at the same time, you'll probably need even more speed.
For competitive online gamers, or households with many heavy internet users, speeds of 500 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps should be plenty, allowing everyone to work, game, and download at the same time without causing slowdowns.
How can I test my download speed?
If you're curious the download speed on your device, you can measure your speed using our helpful broadband speed test.
This will test your latency, upload and download speed, and jitter by mimicking your online activities and testing how long it takes. If the download speed is lower than 50-100ms, you may want to look into ways to improve your connection.
How can I improve my download speed?
1. Restart Your Router
It might sound cliché, but restarting your router can clear any temporary issues with your connection, and sometimes improve performance. To do this, turn off your router, unplug it from the power source, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. Allow a few minutes for it to reconnect to the internet.
2. Use a Wired Connection
WiFi is convenient, but if you’re serious about download speed, a wired Ethernet connection will be better for you as it provides a direct link between your device and the router, reducing signal loss and improving speed. This is especially useful for downloading large files, streaming in 4K, and online gaming. If possible, connect your computer, gaming console, or smart TV directly to the router using an Ethernet cable for the best performance.
3. Move closer to your router
If you're using WiFi, the farther you are from the router, the weaker the signal will be. Thick walls, furniture, and electronic devices can block or weaken the signal. Try moving closer to the router or placing it in a central location in your home, and if your router is on the floor, raise it to a higher position, like a shelf or desk, to improve signal coverage.
4. Disconnect devices you're not using
Every device connected to your network—smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and gaming consoles—shares your internet speed. If too many devices are streaming, downloading, or browsing at the same time, your download speed may slow down. Disconnect devices that you’re not using or limit bandwidth-heavy activities while downloading files.
5. Close background apps
Many applications run in the background without you realizing it, using up your bandwidth. Cloud backups (like Google Drive or Dropbox), automatic software updates, and streaming services can slow down your downloads. Check your task manager (on Windows) or activity monitor (on Mac) to see what programs are running. Close any unnecessary applications before starting your download.
Upgrade your broadband package
The easiest way to improve your download speed is to upgrade your broadband package. If your current plan has a low-speed limit, it may not be enough for your needs. For example, if you have a 10 Mbps plan but need to stream, game, and download large, you probably won’t have enough speed to do everything you want to do online.
A faster internet plan with higher bandwidth can help reduce latency, especially if your current plan is not suited for heavy usage. Take a look at our superfast fibre broadband deals to find a fibre broadband with high speeds and low latency.
Or if you’re serious about gaming, our gaming broadband deals will be ideal for those intense and competitive moments in online games, with minimal packet loss, ping and latency to keep your game running smoothly.
Use our helpful postcode checker to see what you can get.
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