What Internet speed do I need?
You can save a lot of money on your Internet plan – if you estimate your requirements correctly. Comparis shows you how and explains what Internet speed is right for you.
14.02.2022
iStock.com / Chainarong Prasertthai
How can I measure my current Internet speed?
Visit fast.com to carry out a speed test. This will tell you the upload and download speed of your Internet connection. The download speed is important for streaming series or films via the Internet. The upload speed is more relevant for people sharing their own content on the Internet (YouTubers, content creators, creatives and so on). The ping value (latency) is also shown. This value indicates the time it takes for a data packet to be sent out and then returned. The smaller this value, the better. A low ping value is particularly important for online gaming.
What Internet speed do I need?
Internet speeds of over 200 Mbps are mainly needed by gamers and IT specialists. A 200 Mbps plan is usually plenty for multi-person households, unless you have keen gamers in your family. In this case, it may be worth getting a 500 Mbps connection.
| Primary use | Internet speed recommended by Comparis |
|---|---|
| Streaming (Netflix, Disney etc.) |
50 Mbps |
| Working from home | 100 Mbps |
| Gaming |
500 Mbps |
| Family (4 people) |
Min. 200 Mbps |
Internet plan speeds and pricing
Internet plans are available from around 28 francs per month. Depending on the provider and the technology used (fibre optic, cable or DSL), some plans offering different speeds may cost exactly the same. Some higher-speed Internet plans may therefore be cheaper than lower-speed ones. The prices range from around 28 to 134 francs per month. It’s therefore worth comparing deals. Some providers also offer attractive discounts.
How long does it take to download files?
If you often upload or download data, it’s worth considering an Internet plan with a faster connection. The table below shows how different Internet speeds affect the download of a one-minute full HD video.
Video download
| Data volume in MB | Internet speed in Mbps | Duration in seconds |
|---|---|---|
| 130 | 20 | 52 |
| 130 | 50 | 20.8 |
| 130 | 100 | 10.4 |
| 130 | 200 | 5.2 |
| 130 | 500 | 2.1 |
How do I find out what Internet speed is available to me?
Your Internet speed depends on the infrastructure in your area. In Switzerland, the two most common signal carriers are coaxial cable networks and copper telephone lines, both of which offer different bandwidths. The larger the bandwidth, the more data can be transmitted per second and the faster the Internet connection. Fibre optic cables offer the highest bandwidth and therefore the fastest data transmission speed. However, few buildings are connected to the fibre optic network.
Check the availability of Internet providers at your address
| Provider | Maximum Internet speed | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Init7 |
Up to 10 Gbps |
Check whether Init7 Internet is available at your address |
| Teleboy |
Up to 10 Gbps |
Check whether Teleboy Internet is available at your address |
| Green.ch |
Up to 10 Gbps |
Check whether Green.ch Internet is available at your address |
| Swisscom |
Up to 10 Gbps |
Check whether Swisscom Internet is available at your address |
| Salt | Up to 10 Gbps | Check whether Salt Internet is available at your address |
| Sunrise | Up to 10 Gbps | Check whether Sunrise Internet is available at your address |
| UPC | Up to 1 Gbps | Check whether UPC Internet is available at your address |
| Yallo | Up to 10 Gbps | Check whether Yallo Internet is available at your address |
| Wingo | Up to 10 Gbps | Check whether Wingo Internet is available at your address |
Only a few devices can handle top speeds
Although fibre optic technology enables fast transmission speeds, not many devices can support them. So even if the available speed is 10 Gbps, users may only experience a fraction of that. For example, if a laptop is connected to the Internet via WiFi, the speed is much lower than what the connection is actually capable of. Smartphones and tablets cannot make full use of 10 Gbps either. The fastest Internet packages are therefore only worthwhile if several people and devices need to access the Internet quickly at the same time.
Internet lagging? The Internet speed is not necessarily to blame
Often, slow Internet is not due to lack of speed, but because of numerous other factors that affect transmission quality. Before you start looking for another Internet plan, check the following:
1. Restart your router
When you restart your router, your device establishes a new connection with the Internet. This is often enough to resolve any speed issues.
2. Check who is connected to your router
If too many devices are accessing the Internet, speed can be affected. Make sure that only authorized users have access to your Internet and if in doubt, change your WiFi password.
3. Position your router in a central location
The position of your router has a significant effect on the quality of your WiFi. If you want a consistent level of Internet quality on many floors of a building, you should try installing a WiFi repeater to improve the connection before upgrading your plan.
If after following these tips there is no improvement in speed, you should consider an alternative Internet plan.
This article was first published on 25.08.2021