What is streaming and how does it work?

Streaming is a way to watch videos, listen to music, or play games over the internet without having to download them first. It works by continuously sending small parts of a file from a server to your device, allowing the content to play smoothly and instantly without you having to wait for it to be downloaded onto your device. 

Streaming is commonly used for online services like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and live broadcasts on your TV. When you watch a movie on Netflix or listen to a song on Spotify, the data is sent to your device bit by bit as you play it, rather than all at once. This makes it faster and more convenient because you don’t have to wait for long downloads. 

As long as you have a good internet connection, the content will play smoothly without interruptions. However, if the internet is slow, you might experience buffering, where the video or audio pauses to load more data. Streaming is widely used for entertainment, live events, and even online gaming, making it an essential part of modern digital life. 

Streaming sends data over the internet in small pieces, allowing you to watch or listen to content without downloading the entire file first. When you click on a video or song, your device requests the data from a server, which then sends it to you in real time. The data is temporarily stored in a small part of your device’s memory, called a buffer, so that the content plays smoothly without interruptions. 

For streaming to work well, you need a good internet connection. If the connection is too slow, the buffer may run out of data, causing the video or audio to pause, which is called buffering. Streaming platforms usually automatically adjust the quality of the content based on your internet speed so that you can keep watching without buffering 

This means that if your connection is strong, you’ll get high-quality video and sound, but if it’s weak, the quality lowers to prevent interruptions. 

Streaming comes in different types, but all types make it easier to access entertainment, music, games, and even software without needing to download large files. Here are some of the most common types:

Streaming uses varying amounts of data depending on the type of content you’re watching and its quality. Watching standard definition (SD) videos uses about 1 GB of data per hour, while high definition (HD) video can use around 3 GB per hour. And if you're watching 4K content, it can use a lot more—up to 7 GB or more per hour.  

Audio streaming typically uses much less data, with services like Spotify or Apple Music using around 40-150 MB per hour for regular quality, and 200-300 MB per hour for high-quality or lossless audio. 

The internet speed you need for streaming depends on the type of content and quality you want to watch or listen to. Faster speeds provide smoother streaming with better picture and sound quality, while slower speeds may cause buffering or lower resolution. 

For standard-definition (SD) video streaming, such as YouTube at 480p, you’ll need a download speed of at least 5 Mbps for your streams to play smoothly. However, you’ll need much more if multiple people in a home are streaming, gaming, or using the internet at the same time. 

Here’s a breakdown of how much speed you’ll usually need if multiple people are using the internet at home: 

Video Streaming

• SD (480p) and HD (720p-1080p) streaming: 30-50 Mbps 

• 4K Ultra HD streaming: 100+ Mbps 

If multiple people are streaming HD content at the same time, 50 Mbps is usually enough. If some are watching in 4K, aim for 100 Mbps or more to prevent buffering. 

Audio Streaming

• Casual music streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.): 5-10 Mbps 

• High-quality/lossless music streaming: 15-20 Mbps 

Music streaming doesn’t require much speed, so even with multiple people listening, 10-20 Mbps is enough.

Game Streaming (Cloud Gaming)

• Casual gaming and light streaming: 100 Mbps 

• Multiple gamers using cloud gaming in HD/4K: 300+ Mbps 

Cloud gaming requires strong speeds. If more than one person is playing cloud-based games at the same time, 200 Mbps or more is ideal. 

If your household has multiple people streaming videos, music, live events, or games at the same time, here’s a general recommendation: 

• Light usage (SD video, music, basic browsing): 25-50 Mbps 

• Moderate usage (HD streaming, some gaming, video calls): 50-100 Mbps 

• Heavy usage (4K streaming, cloud gaming, multiple devices at once): 200+ Mbps 

To avoid buffering and slowdowns, it’s best to get a plan that provides at least 100-200 Mbps for a family of 3-4, especially if multiple people use the internet at the same time. If you stream in 4K, play online games, or use smart home devices, going for 300 Mbps or more is a good idea.

We offer a range of superfast broadband packages that cover different speeds, including: 

• M125 broadband: a great option for casual internet users who primarily engage in light browsing, email, and social media. With an average download speed of up to 132 Mbps, it’s great for everyday online activities. 

• M250 broadband: ideal for those who frequently stream high-definition content, engage in online gaming, or download large files. With average download speeds of up to 264 Mbps, it offers faster speeds which helps deliver a smoother experience. 

• M350 broadband: suited for households with multiple users and a high demand for bandwidth. With an average download speed of up to 362 Mbps, it provides the necessary capacity to handle simultaneous usage of multiple devices and bandwidth-intensive activities. 

• M500 broadband: perfect for gamers and those with a strong need for speed. With average download speeds of up to 516 Mbps, it offers superfast speeds which are ideal for streaming content, online gaming and quick downloads. 

• Gig1 Fibre broadband: the best choice for anyone seeking ultrafast speeds. With average download speeds of up to 1,130 Mbps, it’s the perfect companion for smart homes and busier households with multiple connected devices. It allows for seamless 4K streaming, large file transfers and low latency online gaming – all at the same time.