Netflix almost single-handedly destroyed Blockbuster; the only thing that the trusty DVD or VHS had over Netflix was the absence of buffering (excluding the times when you scratched the DVD, of course!). There’s nothing like buffering to kill the mood of a great movie, so we’re going to share with you 4 easy steps you can take to supercharge your internet for seamless streaming!
Step one: Check your internet speed
The first thing you want to do is check your plan speed! There’s no point investing in the latest tech when your bandwidth simply won’t keep up! Use any online speed test tool to determine your download and upload speeds.
Don’t know what speed you need? To give you an idea, to stream an HD movie, you’ll need a download speed of at least 5Mbps per stream, but 4x more for 4K or if you have multiple devices running/downloading and uploading content at the same time.
Step two: Invest in a quality router and pick your placement wisely
If you’re using an old router, it may be time for an upgrade. The latest routers on the market offer much better performance, especially for larger homes. In particular, look for routers that support the latest Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6) for greater speed and reliability.
If you want to get a bit nerdier on Wi-Fi specs, check out one of our past blog posts where we explore the difference between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6.
Also, the placement of your new router is essential and significantly affects your streaming quality. Put it in a central location in your home to ensure even coverage, and avoid hiding it in closets or behind furniture. Also, if your house is big, consider a mesh-based system to get connectivity in every corner – check out eero 6+ by Amazon.
Step three: Use a provider that uses Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
You may not have heard of CDNs, but they are an essential part of increasing the speed of your stream. CDNs are servers that are distributed globally on wholesale networks by streaming services such as Netflix to reduce the distance between your device and the server that holds the content. You don’t actually have to do anything to use CDNs; just find an internet provider that has them on their network.
Leaptel proudly has Netflix caches in Sydney and Melbourne, giving you faster access to your favourite content!
Step four: Upgrade your plan speed
Make sure your current plan meets your streaming needs. If it doesn’t, consider upgrading your plan by contacting your internet service provider to see what plans are on offer at your address. In the past, 50Mbps might have been enough, but with growing data needs, we recommend 100Mbps at a minimum!
Better yet – check to see if you are eligible for the FREE upgrade to nbn® Fibre if you’re on an old FTTN or FTTC connection – there are also great plans at excellent prices available at the moment, so you may even save money on your monthly bill.
There you have it! 4 easy ways to supercharge your internet for a seamless streaming experience! If you have any questions about your current connection, the fibre upgrade or any of the content in this blog, feel free to reach out to one of Leaptel’s Melbourne-based Aussie experts via web chat, email or call 1300 205 327 – we’re always happy to help.