Broadband Scout

How Much Broadband Speed Do I Need?

Learn what speed your household needs for streaming, video calls and working from home, and why upload speed matters too.

    Reviewed by Phil Brown, founder and broadband reviewer · Last reviewed

    Key takeaways

    Explainer
    • Ofcom's superfast band, 30 to 300Mbps, suits most everyday use, including working from home and streaming.
    • One Netflix stream in 4K needs 15Mbps, but Ofcom puts several people streaming Ultra HD at once at around 300Mbps.
    • Upload speed matters for video calls and sending files. Zoom recommends 3.8Mbps upload for 1080p video.
    • FTTC (part fibre) tops out at 80Mbps download and 20Mbps upload, while full fibre goes much higher. Check your postcode to see what reaches you.
    • If your speed falls below what your provider promised, they have one month to fix it before you can leave without penalty.

    How we put this guide together

    To put this guide together, we checked speed needs and line speeds against Ofcom's consumer guide to choosing broadband, Ofcom's broadband speed guidance and code of practice, Netflix's and Zoom's published speed requirements, Openreach FTTC and full fibre product information, and Virgin Media's published package speeds.

    What download speed you need

    Ofcom sorts broadband into three bands. Standard broadband, up to 30Mbps, covers browsing, email and standard video. Superfast, 30 to 300Mbps, suits most everyday use, including working from home, video calls and streaming. Ultrafast, 300Mbps or more, is the better fit when several people are online at once, stream a lot, game online or download large files.

    The speed you need depends on what the busiest moment in your home looks like, not on one person's use.

    ActivityDownload speed
    Web browsing and music streaming1Mbps
    HD video call10Mbps
    One person streaming Ultra HD video30Mbps
    Several people streaming Ultra HD video300Mbps

    Source: Ofcom, Choose the right broadband for your needs (last updated August 2026). Ofcom describes these as a rough guide.

    Individual services can need less. Netflix, for example, recommends 15Mbps for each 4K stream and 5Mbps for Full HD. For comparison, Ofcom reported a median UK home download speed of 69.4Mbps in 2023.

    Why upload speed matters

    Download speed covers what comes into your home, such as streaming and web pages. Upload speed covers what you send out: your camera and microphone on a video call, files saved to cloud storage and photos backed up from your phone. On most packages, upload is much slower than download.

    Video calls are the most common reason upload speed matters. Zoom recommends 3.8Mbps upload for 1080p HD video and 2.6Mbps for 720p, for each person on a call. Two people working from home on video calls at the same time need roughly double that.

    Upload speed varies most between connection types. FTTC (part fibre) tops out at 20Mbps upload. Openreach's fastest full fibre (FTTP) home tier offers 120Mbps upload, and some altnets sell packages where upload matches download.

    Speeds by connection type

    The connection to your home sets the ceiling on the speeds you can buy. Most UK homes are served by one or more of three types.

    FTTC (part fibre). Fibre runs to the street cabinet and copper covers the last stretch. Openreach's FTTC product offers up to 80Mbps download and 20Mbps upload, which fits within Ofcom's superfast band but not ultrafast.

    Full fibre (FTTP). Fibre runs all the way to your home. Openreach's fastest home tiers reach 1.8Gbps download with 120Mbps upload, and altnets build full fibre networks alongside Openreach with their own speed tiers.

    Cable (Virgin Media). Virgin Media advertises average download speeds measured at peak times (8pm to 10pm). These run from 132Mbps on M125 to 1,136Mbps on Gig1, with 2,000Mbps on its Gig2 full fibre package in selected areas.

    For how FTTC and full fibre differ in reliability, see Fibre vs Full Fibre.

    How to choose the right speed

    1. 1

      Check your postcode. Enter your postcode to see which connection types and speeds reach your address.

    2. 2

      Picture your busiest hour. Count how many people stream, game or join video calls at the same time, and use the table above to add up what they need.

    3. 3

      Check the upload speed. If anyone works from home or backs up large files, make sure the package's upload speed covers it.

    4. 4

      Get the estimate in writing. Providers signed up to Ofcom's speed code of practice have committed to give you an estimated speed range for your line in writing when you sign up.

    5. 5

      Compare the full cost. Weigh monthly price, setup fees and contract length, not just speed. Our how we compare page explains how deals are ranked.

    Broadband speed FAQs

    What can I do if my broadband is slower than I was promised?

    Tell your provider first. If your speed drops below the level they promised, they have one month to improve it. If they cannot, you can leave your contract without a penalty.

    Will a wired connection be faster than Wi-Fi?

    Usually, yes. Ofcom recommends connecting a computer to your router with an Ethernet cable for a faster, more reliable connection. If you use Wi-Fi, keep the router on a table or shelf and away from other electrical devices.

    What is the minimum broadband speed I am entitled to?

    Every UK home can request a decent connection, defined as at least 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload. If you cannot get that, you can ask BT, or KCOM in the Hull area, to check whether you qualify for an upgrade under the broadband universal service.

    About the reviewer

    Phil Brown · Founder, Broadband Scout

    Phil Brown, founder of Broadband Scout. Phil previously worked in UK telecoms retail at Three UK and has spent over a decade running consumer comparison platforms. He reviews each guide against provider terms and Ofcom guidance.

    More about Phil

    Editorial policy: This guide is produced by the Broadband Scout editorial team. Speed figures are checked against Ofcom guidance, Openreach product information and provider terms. Always confirm availability and current terms with the provider before signing up.

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