Internet usage is getting trickier with every day that goes by, with growing streaming and gaming usage, “What is a Good Internet Speed” is a tricky question to respond too. Similarly, when it comes to deciding on an internet connection, several factors play a significant role in determining the perfect connection type and the ideal speed. If you are a resident of Houston, then you are in great luck, with over 20 ISPs offering their services in Houston and a whole bunch of options to pick from, and our extensive guide, subscribing to an internet connection will be a breeze.
What Internet Speed Do You Need?
As officially stated by Netflix, you need at least 5 Mbps internet speed for a single user to stream Netflix efficiently in HD resolution. However, if you are planning to watch a movie in 4k resolution you will need a minimum of 25 Mbps internet connection. This bandwidth is ideal for single device usage and is bound to multiply for more than one device, especially if you do not want to compromise on the picture quality, we suggest going for higher speeds like at least 100 Mbps for a household of four heavy internet users. The same is sufficient for a household with 4 heavy and 2 light users.
Do not forget to consider the usage and relevant factors before deciding on a package. Since as lucrative as the highest speed package might appear, investing in it might as well be unnecessary for your household. Be careful with how you choose to spend your hard-earned money.
Check the Speed of Your Connection
Taking a speed test is the simplest yet the most effective step to determining whether you need to upgrade your internet package or hold your ISP for throttling speeds. Speedtest.net is one of the most reliable tools out there, simply disconnect all your internet-enabled devices before conducting the test, connect your internet connection to a single device and run the speed test. Now look for any discrepancy in the internet speeds you subscribed to. If the speed test shows consistently, lower speeds than what you are paying for then it is time to pick up the phone and prepare yourself for an argument. However, if the speeds are consistent with what you opted for and it still falls short, at the end of the day then we suggest upgrading your plan for the next best option. If you are a resident of Houston then you are in luck, just check out HughesNet internet plans and rest assured that you shall land the best deal in town without much hassle
Our Recommended Internet Speed
We took the hassle of surveying various internet users, their usage habits, and the required bandwidth for each kind of activity. Here we list down all the activities and the ideal internet speeds needed for them.
| Number of Users | Internet Activities | Ideal Download Speeds |
| 1 to 2 | Basic Internet Surfing, Sending or Receiving Emails, Social Media Usage, and Moderate Quality Streaming | Up to 25 Mbps |
| 3 to 5 | Gaming, High Definition Video Streaming, and Downloading | 100 to 200 Mbps |
| More Than 5 | Live Video Streaming, Hardcore Gaming, Social Media Browsing, and File Sharing | 400 to 940 Mbps |
What can you do with 25 Mbps internet speed?
25 Mbps is a fairly decent internet speed, to begin with, for example, it is sufficient for a single user to stream high-quality videos or play online games. Moreover, it can support a small household with mediocre internet dependence. Here is what you can do with 25 Mbps internet speeds.
- Stream Movies or your favorite TV series on up to 2 devices in high-quality resolution.
- Enjoy Online gaming with the least latency and ping rates.
- Cherish close to zero page loading time while browsing through the web.
In short, a household with 2-3 simultaneous users can conveniently get their work done with an internet connection as fast as 25 Mbps.
Top ISPs offer commendable internet services that too at an affordable price
Several ISPs offer commendable speeds at reasonable rates. Some of them include:
Comcast Xfinity
Xfinity is one of the leading ISPs in the country with a wide availability across 40 states, Florida and California. Xfinity has the latest, hybrid cable-fiber infrastructure where it automatically switches to cable connection wherever fiber internet is not available thus ensuring seamless connectivity no matter what. Not to forget the top of the lie fiber connectivity, with speeds as fast as 2000 Mbps.
Charter Spectrum
Spectrum is the brand name for the cable, internet, and TV services offered after the merger of Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. This merger leads to making Spectrum being the second largest cable service provider in the US. Some of Spectrum’s prominent features include its easy-to-understand pricing system, 24/7 customer service, a reliable service promise, no data caps for internet subscribers, and a contract buyout policy of up to $500.
AT&T
AT&T is one of the leading internet providers in the nation with wide accessibility in 21 states including Illinois, Texas, and California. The company primarily provides two types of internet services, which are DSL and Fiber. AT&T’s fiber internet plans are some of the best internet deals in the country starting from $35 per month for 300 Mbps and going up to $60 per month for 1000 Mbps of internet speeds.
