Recommended Speeds and Data Usage of Internet Services
Certain services may require higher speed connections for an optimized user experience.
Minimum Recommended Connection Speed | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Streaming Application/Service | SD/SQ | HD/HQ | 4k/Ultra HD | |
Video | ||||
1 | YouTube | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
2 | Netflix | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 25 Mbps |
3 | Amazon Instant Video | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
4 | Hulu/Hulu Plus | 2 Mbps | 3 Mbps | – |
5 | DISH Anywhere Video (Tablet/Smartphone) | 250 kbps | 500 kbps | – |
6 | dishanywhere.com Video (Computer) | 800 kbps | 4 Mbps | – |
7 | On Demand (IPVOD) content on DISH Receivers | 5 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
Music | ||||
8 | Pandora | 128 kbps | 200 kbps | – |
9 | Spotify | 160 kbps | 320 kbps | – |
10 | iHeartRadio | 64 kbps | 128 kbps | – |
11 | Last.fm | – | 128 kbps | – |
Communications | ||||
12 | Skype1 | 300 kbps | 1.5 Mbps | – |
13 | Vonage1 | 90 kbps | – | – |
Data Usage of Common Internet Services
If you have a service with a data cap, it is important to be aware of how much data you’re using and how that data is measured. The following types of services can use data very quickly:
- Streaming Video (on devices or connected receivers)
- Streaming Music (on devices or connected receivers)
- On Demand Video downloads (on connected receivers)
- Video/Audio Communication services (on connected devices, i.e. Skype, Vonage)1
- Online Gaming (on connected devices)1
The following are examples of commonly used services from the above categories. The grid below lists typical data usage; actual usage may vary by user and device.
Typical Bandwidth Consumed Per Hour | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Streaming Application/Service | SD/SQ | HD/HQ | 4k/Ultra HD | |
Video | ||||
1 | YouTube | 0.9 GB | 2.7 GB | 8.8 GB |
2 | Netflix | 0.7 GB | 3.0 GB | 7.0 GB |
3 | Amazon Instant Video | 0.9 GB | 2.1 GB | 11.6 GB |
4 | Hulu/Hulu Plus | 0.3 GB | 1.1 GB | – |
5 | On Demand (IPVOD) low-action content on DISH receivers (i.e. comedy, drama) | 0.6 GB | – | – |
6 | On Demand (IPVOD) high-action content on DISH receivers (i.e. action, adventure) | 0.4 GB | 1.1 GB | 6.6 GB |
Music | ||||
7 | Pandora | 60 MB | 90 MB | – |
8 | Spotify | 72 MB | 144 MB | – |
9 | iHeartRadio | 24 MB | 60 MB | – |
10 | Last.fm | – | 60 MB | – |
Internet download and upload sizes are measured in bytes. A byte is equal to 8 bits of data and is represented with an upper case “B.”
Size | Abbreviation | Measurement |
---|---|---|
Byte | B | – |
Kilobyte | kB | a thousand bytes |
Megabyte | MB | a million bytes |
Gigabyte | GB | a billion bytes |
Terabyte | TB | a trillion bytes |
Internet connection speeds are measured in bits per second. A bit is the smallest unit of digital information and can be expressed as either a 0 or a 1. Bits are represented with a lower case “b.”
Speed | Abbreviation | Measurement |
---|---|---|
Bit Per Second | bps | – |
Kilobit Per Second | kbps | a thousand bits per second |
Megabit Per Second | Mbps | a million bits per second |
Gigabit Per Second | Gbps | a billion bits per second |