Buying too little speed means buffering and frozen calls. Buying too much means paying every month for capacity you never use. Here’s how to find the right package for your home.
Household speed calculator
How much speed do common activities use?
These are typical figures per device or stream. Real-world needs vary by app and quality setting, so we round up to leave headroom.
| Activity | Download needed | Upload needed |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing, email, WhatsApp messages | 1–2 Mbps | under 1 Mbps |
| Music streaming | under 1 Mbps | – |
| HD video (Netflix, YouTube, Showmax, DStv Stream) | 5 Mbps | – |
| 4K / Ultra HD video | 15–25 Mbps | – |
| HD video call (Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp video) | 2–4 Mbps | 2–4 Mbps |
| Online gaming (playing) | 3–5 Mbps | 1 Mbps — low ping matters more |
| Cloud CCTV camera (each) | – | 1–4 Mbps |
The catch is “at the same time”. One person streaming in HD needs 5 Mbps. A family with a 4K TV, two video calls and a teenager gaming needs closer to 40 Mbps at peak time — plus headroom for phones updating apps in the background.
Don’t forget upload speed
Upload matters if you work from home, take video calls, post videos or use cloud CCTV. Many fibre packages in South Africa are symmetrical (for example 50/50 Mbps) or offer generous upload, while LTE and 5G plans usually have much lower upload than download. If calls freeze for the other person but look fine for you, upload is the likely culprit.
Fibre, LTE, 5G — does the type matter?
Yes. A 50 Mbps fibre line usually delivers close to 50 Mbps all day, with low ping. A “up to 50 Mbps” LTE or 5G plan can vary a lot with signal and tower congestion, especially in the evening. If you’re comparing options, read our guide on fibre vs LTE vs 5G vs satellite.
Quick recommendations
- Single person or pensioner couple: 10–20 Mbps.
- Small family: 25–50 Mbps.
- Busy family, working from home, gamers: 50–100 Mbps.
- Large household, creators, home business: 100 Mbps and up, with strong upload.
Already have a package? Run a speed test and enter your package speed — we’ll show what percentage you’re actually getting.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 Mbps fast enough?
For one or two people browsing, messaging and watching HD video on one screen, yes. It becomes tight with several people streaming, video calls or 4K.
Is 100 Mbps overkill?
Not for a busy household or anyone who downloads large games or works with big files. For one or two light users, it’s usually more than needed.
Why does my 50 Mbps package not feel fast?
Usually Wi-Fi is the bottleneck, not the line. Test next to the router or with a cable. If it’s still slow, run our diagnosis.
Test your speed now
See your real download, upload and ping in 30 seconds.