The short answer
If you’re a single person who browses and streams, 100 Mbps is plenty. If you have a household of 2-4 people with remote work and multiple screens, 200 Mbps is the sweet spot. If you’ve got 4+ people doing everything at once, 300 Mbps handles it all.
Now the longer version.
Speed by activity
Not all internet usage is equal. Here’s roughly what each activity needs:
| Activity | Download Speed Needed |
|---|---|
| Email and browsing | 5 Mbps |
| Social media and news | 10 Mbps |
| HD video streaming (one screen) | 15-25 Mbps |
| 4K video streaming | 25-50 Mbps |
| Video calls (Zoom, Teams) | 10-25 Mbps |
| Online gaming | 25-50 Mbps |
| Large file downloads | 50+ Mbps |
These are per-activity numbers. The key is that everything in your house runs at the same time.
Speed by household size
1-2 people. Browsing, streaming on one screen, maybe a video call. 100 Mbps (Streamline Essential at $55/mo) covers this comfortably.
2-4 people. Someone’s on a Zoom call, someone’s streaming Netflix, a kid is gaming. This is where you need headroom. 200 Mbps (Streamline Plus at $75/mo) gives everyone room to breathe.
4+ people. Multiple 4K streams, gaming, video calls, smart home devices, large downloads. 300 Mbps (Streamline MAX at $95/mo) handles the whole circus without breaking a sweat.
Upload speed matters too
Most people focus on download speed, but upload matters for:
- Video calls — Zoom and Teams send your video upstream. Low upload = you look frozen to everyone else.
- Working from home — VPN, file uploads, cloud syncing all depend on upload.
- Live streaming — If you stream on Twitch or YouTube, upload is everything.
Streamline plans include 20-60 Mbps upload depending on the tier. That’s dramatically more than satellite or DSL typically offer.
What about “burst” speeds?
Streamline plans list both a committed speed and a burst speed. Your committed speed (e.g. 200 Mbps on Plus) is what you can count on. Burst speed (up to 400 Mbps on Plus) is the maximum throughput you might hit during low-demand periods. Think of it as bonus headroom, not a guarantee.
Bottom line
Don’t overthink it. Check your address to confirm coverage, pick the plan that matches your household size, and you’ll be fine. Every Streamline plan comes with unlimited data and a lifetime price lock, so you’re not penalized for using your internet.