Do you want to switch to a different broadband plan or install wireless internet in your home or office? Are you wondering if 200 Mbps is fast since that’s what most internet service providers offer these days?
The short answer is yes. 200 Mbps is a fast internet speed that can facilitate large data activities, including video uploads and file downloads.
It provides quick performance for two to five standard users, helping them engage in web surfing, gaming, video conferencing, and YouTube or Netflix streaming.
In this guide, I will explain more about 200 Mbps, particularly focusing on whether it’s sufficient for various online activities and what to do to ensure it doesn’t slow down.
Let’s jump in.
Is 200 Mbps Enough?
Typically, 200 Mbps is enough for most households, as it can help people carry out common online activities, such as web browsing, video calling, or video streaming for two to five users simultaneously.
However, several factors come into play, particularly for gaming and home offices, where reaction times and file upload capacity are crucial.
The other factors that affect speed are your location, the number of connected devices, latency, and Wi-Fi network, with the latter being one of the greatest factors.
Let me explain.
The average Wi-Fi speed you use at home or office is about 20% to 50% below the suggested/advertised download speed. The reason is simple: wireless interference and signal fade as you move away from the router.
That said, always select a speed that’s a bit faster than your actual requirements to compensate for network slowdowns.
With that out of the way, let’s look at some of the activities 200 Mbps can accomplish.
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200 Mbps is Generally Good for Gaming
On average, online games require an upload speed of 1.5 to 5 Mbps and up to 5 Mbps in download speed to run well. In theory, 30 gaming devices can run simultaneously on a 200 Mbps internet plan.
But since a 200 Mbps plan can give an upload of between 20 and 100 Mbps, up to four high-usage games can be played simultaneously, which is generally good for most homes.
If most people from your home are gamers, consider investing in a gaming-friendly modem and router. These devices require high throughput but low ping.
How about downloading capabilities? When downloading games, 200 Mbps can take time to download your favorite data-heavy titles.
For example, according to the Omni Calculator, Forspoken requires 150 GB of space on a PC and can take around 1 hour and 40 minutes to download.
This download speed is alright, given the gigantic size of the game.
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200 Mbps is Sufficient for 4K Streaming
When it comes to streaming online movies and videos, the data required depends on the quality of the videos. For example, streaming high-quality 4K videos requires a download speed of between 25 and 50 Mbps.
That said, you can stream 4K quality videos on 8 to 16 devices using a 200 Mbps speed. This internet speed is suitable for a small office or large family.
200 Mbps is Considered a Fast Internet Speed
If you use 200 Mbps, your internet speed is way faster than the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) recommends. According to the FCC, users should access the internet with an upload speed of 3 Mbps and a download speed of 25 Mbps.
Simply put, fast internet is an eighth of 200 Mbps. However, 25 Mbps isn’t good enough, which is why senators asked the FCC to change this figure to 100 Mbps base speed. Either way, 200 Mbps is superior.
Using an internet speed of 200 Mbps lets you do nearly anything you want online comfortably, including making a video call, playing music, browsing, and watching videos on several devices at once.
According to Ken’s Tech Tips, in theory, you can use 200 Mbps for general browsing, instant messaging, emailing, or social media on over 100 devices at the same time.
You can also use this speed on standard video and video calling via Zoom, Skype, or WhatsApp on 100 or more devices simultaneously.
This speed is also suitable for streaming Netflix and YouTube videos and online gaming.
However, practically, connecting so many devices to your connection might slow down the internet after some time.
Here’s why: A broadband connection with 200 Mbps download speed is the speed at the hub or router, which may differ from your individual device’s speed.
Thus, if you connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, the internet speed on your individual devices may be below 200 Mbps. Congestion or poor Wi-Fi from other networks causes this. As a result, if you connect so many devices and start streaming videos, buffering might occur.
To get faster speeds, consider using an ethernet (wired) connection. But if you can’t achieve this, explore other ways to enhance your home’s Wi-Fi signal.
For example, you can opt for a mesh Wi-Fi system or Wi-Fi repeater to boost the home Wi-Fi network speed.
200 Mbps is Above Average for Most of the World
According to wisevoter, the global average internet speed is 96.1 Mbps, and the median average is 58.1 Mbps.
But wait, there’s more.
According to Broadband Search, the world’s average download speed for mobile internet is 30.78 Mbps, and the upload speed has an average of 8.55 Mbps.
On the other hand, the world’s average fixed-band connection is 67.25 Mbps. On the other hand, the upload speed averages 28.50 Mbps.
Thus, 200 Mbps is above average for most countries across the world.
200 Mbps is Enough for the Majority of Households
In 2021 and 2022, the United States had an average of three people per household. So, 200 Mbps is more than enough per household of this size, even if everyone is streaming 4K movies on Netflix all day and night.
Think I’m exaggerating? I’m not.
Well, as earlier mentioned streaming 4K videos uses about 25 Mbps per device, so for three people, that would be only 75 Mbps.
Most families aren’t into video gaming and don’t have to simultaneously operate two to three video conference calls within the home.
Instead, they commonly use the internet for activities such as:
- Shopping
- Instant messaging
- Email communication
- Social media use
- Online video calls
- Watching videos
- Online investing and banking
- Music
- Streaming podcasts
A Redditor asks if 200 Mbps will be enough for six of them in an apartment, and almost everyone comments by agreeing that the stated network speed is adequate for six users.
In an interesting response, one user says four individuals constantly use 50 Mbps with over 20 devices connected. They can stream four TVs at once without issues and use wireless routers instead of the provided Wi-Fi. The only issue is downloading 10 to 15 GB files takes a while.
If 50 Mbps can do all that, what about 200 Mbps?
To get the most out of your home network’s 200 Mbps, I recommend you use ethernet cables for most of your hardware devices. Only use the wireless network for your portable devices, such as phones and tablets.
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Online Activities and 200 Mbps
With 200 Mbps, you can do the following:
Stream Netflix and Hulu at HD Resolution from 2 to 4 Users without Buffering or Lagging
Netflix is a popular global streaming service, and Hulu works in the US and Japan. The two streaming services have varying internet requirements for users.
Netflix offers a Standard plan for users who want simultaneous streaming on two devices in HD. The Premium plan allows up to four simultaneous streams at 4K resolution.
The recommended internet speed for HD resolution is 5 Mbps per user, and that of 4K (ultra-HD) resolution is 25 Mbps per user.
This relatively low download speed requirement means 28 to 40 devices can stream Netflix at once on the 200 Mbps plan, making this plan suitable for small workplaces and bigger households.
By default, Hulu allows subscribers to stream from two separate screens simultaneously. But Live TV subscribers can stream from unlimited screens using the Unlimited Screens Add-on.
I like Hulu’s flexibility regarding the recommended internet speed for various resolutions. To watch shows in HD resolution, each user needs 3 Mbps to 6 Mbps.
Live TV users need at least 8 Mbps, and 16 Mbps is required for 4K streaming.
As you can see, each streaming platform has low internet speed requirements. However, when streaming from multiple devices simultaneously, you need a higher speed.
Thus, using 200 Mbps as the download speed, two to four users can stream Hulu and Netflix in HD (and even 4K) resolution without lagging or buffering.
Video Conferencing
A Zoom 1080p HD video call requires approximately 3 Mbps and 3.8 Mbps upload and download speed, respectively.
In theory, this speed is enough for making 60 Zoom calls with 200 Mbps simultaneously. However, like gaming, a 200 Mbps internet plan may get you an upload speed of anywhere from 20 to 100 Mbps.
So, in reality, you might be able to make from 5 to 25 conference calls. This number is still pretty good for homes or small businesses.
YouTube Streaming
A YouTube video requires an internet speed between 1.1 Mbps for SD 480p videos and 5 Mbps for HD 1080p videos. That means, with 200 Mbps, you can stream up to 40 HD videos and 200 standard videos.
Impressive, right?
Are you looking to upload videos on YouTube, as well? No worries, as 200 Mbps will make the process seamless.
Web Surfing
General web surfing includes checking emails, opening tabs in your browser to read articles, instant messaging, and light social media usage.
Web surfing requires a minimum internet speed of 1 Mbps to 5 Mbps.
Like other activities in this guide, web browsing speed requirements may increase or reduce based on various factors, such as the number of users and devices on your network.
Also, the media on various websites can impact speed. Some sites contain text only, while others feature large images and heavy multimedia content.
Generally, most sites load within seconds for 1 Mbps internet speed, but some can take minutes at the same speed.
Either way, 200 Mbps is more than sufficient for both text-based and media-heavy websites, and small and large households should browse without problems.
Providing Fast Performance For File Downloads And Video Uploads
The time taken to upload videos or download files largely depends on the internet speed you are using, the closeness to the router, your computer speed, how much the internet service provider (ISP) allows you to download or upload per day, and so on.
Here are practical ways to increase your internet speed for fast file downloads and video uploads.
Get Closer to the Router
The further your computer or mobile device is from the Wi-Fi router, the more your internet speed drags.
While you may not always place your computer next to the router to browse the internet or stream Netflix shows, you can get closer to it. The best way is to ensure no thick (concrete) walls between your device and the router.
Also, note that some routers have a weak signal strength, and others are strong. So, consider getting a better Wi-Fi router.
Limit the Connected Devices
When your connection starts slowing down, one of the first things you should do is check the number of devices connected to the router.
If many devices are connected, several Wi-Fi signals may cross the space at the same time, causing a decline in internet performance.
If some devices aren’t in use, try disconnecting them to see any network reliability and speed improvement.
Shut Background Applications You Aren’t Using
You may have noticed sometimes, the internet speed is fast on your phone but slow on your laptop. Often, the cause is background programs that consume your bandwidth and slow down the internet connection.
Quit unused apps and stop unnecessary programs to elevate your internet speeds. Here’s how to do it on a Windows computer:
- Right-click the Task Bar and choose Task Manager
- Under processes, click Network to identify the processes consuming the most bandwidth.
Clear Your Browsing History and Cache
I know this one sounds commonplace, but you will be surprised how many people use their computers for months without performing these simple tasks.
Not clearing your computer’s cache and browsing history occasionally can pile up files and other irrelevant data, slowing down your internet speed.
Cleaning your Chrome browser’s cache is easy:
Click on the three dots on the top right, tap More tools, and select Clear browsing data.
Next, clear the necessary data, including cached images, files, cookies, and other site data, along with browsing history.
Replace the Wireless Connection with a Wired Connection (Ethernet)
Is your wireless internet connection constantly slow, and you aren’t ready to get a new router? Try connecting an Ethernet cable to your Mac or PC. An Ethernet cable can deliver the fastest speed possible.
Inspect the Cable for Any Defects and Ensure It Isn’t Too Long
While Ethernet cables are the most reliable and fastest way to link your computer to the router, lengthy or defective cables won’t make a big difference.
That’s why you should check the cable for any kinks and ensure it’s short enough.
Speed Up the Internet Speed By Mapping the Wi-Fi Signal Strength in Your Home
Moving the computer or router around to find a spot with the best strength can be time-consuming.
The easiest way is to use a free Wi-Fi survey software like NetSpot to identify dead zones and areas of channel interference.
NetSpot takes a snapshot of your space and reports the signal strengths of any wireless networks within range.
You will then get ideas of where to install your router for the fastest connection.
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Use a Wi-Fi Extender
If your router can’t sustain a stable signal in your space, you can’t move the router, or you can’t get closer to it, consider using a Wi-Fi extender to bring the router’s signal nearer.
Here’s how a Wi-Fi extender works: It connects to the router’s Wi-Fi before repeating the signal and extends your wireless network’s length, eliminating weak spots and dead zones.
Restart the Computer
Restarting your computer is the quickest way to troubleshoot possible electrical issues with the device and end any hidden tasks that could slow down the download speed.
Download Files Separately
Don’t download multiple files simultaneously, as it might overwhelm the system. So, instead of downloading several files at the same time, download only one at a time, and you might note a rise in performance.
Update Firmware and Drivers
It’s important to update the software that runs your hardware, as it might help to fix any issues, improving your internet speed significantly.
Scan for Malware
Different malware types like viruses, trojans, or spyware usually run processes without anyone knowing, dragging the computer’s performance and possibly draining the bandwidth.
Install and regularly scan your device with reliable anti-malware to prevent this scenario.
Conclusion
200 Mbps is fast enough to help you stream HD and 4K videos on Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. This speed is enough to hold video conference calls, play your favorite online games, and generally surf the web.
Small homes and offices will find 200 Mbps sufficient for online tasks. While 200 Mbps is one of the fastest speeds on the market, it can slow down due to the distance from the router, wireless interference due to too many connected devices, and so on.
To keep your internet speed high, limit the devices on the network, update your device’s drivers and firmware, use an Ethernet cable, clear your browsing history and cache, download each file separately, and invest in a quality router or Wi-Fi extender.
