How Much Internet Speed Do You Really Need?
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Plan
Quick Read TL;DR
Finding the right internet speed isn’t about chasing the biggest number — it’s about matching your usage to the plan. Whether you’re streaming 4K, video calling, uploading content, or juggling a smart home full of devices, this guide shows exactly how many megabits per second you truly need. I'll also cover Australia’s new NBN speed tiers, real-world performance, upload vs download, future-proofing for more devices, and how to avoid speed killers like old routers or poor wiring. You’ll end up with a plan that feels fast — without wasting money on speed you’ll never use.
If you’re hunting for what internet speed really makes sense — whether for work, streaming, gaming or just keeping the peace at home — you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll cut through the jargon and tell you exactly how many Mbps you should aim for (and when you’re just paying for bragging rights). You’ll walk away knowing how to pick a plan that won’t leave you buffering, while saving a few bucks too.
Of course being Australian means i'll give some extra points to local providers, however the basics are the same everywhere.
When it comes down to it, what you need in terms of internet speed depends less on marketing hype and more on how you and your household use the connection. Are you the sort who streams 4K movies in the lounge, runs a home office with Zoom calls, or hosts online gaming sessions? Or is your usage more casual — checking email, social media, maybe a bit of HD streaming? The trick is balancing what gives you a seamless experience (zero lag, crisp video, fast uploads) against what’s cost-effective. In Australia today, thanks to upgraded NBN tiers, fibre rollouts, and more competition, you can aim for a sweet spot — not overkill, not too little.
In this guide we’ll:
- Break down what speeds suit different usage patterns
- Show what’s happening with NBN upgrades and real-world performance in Australia now
- Explain factors that make or break your speed (equipment, wiring, congestion)
- Help you decide when to upgrade — or when you’re already doing fine
- Add a new angle: the “future-proofing factor” — how to plan ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world
Let’s dive in and make sure you get an internet plan that feels fast — without paying for speed you’ll never use.
What Speeds Mean in Practice — Not Just Numbers
Let’s start by turning Mbps (megabits per second) from abstract marketing talk into real experiences.
Basic Internet: 5–20 Mbps
This tier handles light tasks — email, social media, casual web browsing, standard-definition video. Two or three users doing light stuff won’t struggle. But introduce HD streaming or big file uploads, and you’ll see the stutter.
Mid-range: 50–100 Mbps
This is where most Aussies hit the “sweet spot.” You can stream HD or 4K content on a couple of devices simultaneously, do cloud backups, Zoom calls, light gaming — all without much fuss.
High-performance: 250–500 Mbps
Plenty for busy households. You might have multiple 4K streams, big downloads, uploads, multiple gamers, and still not feel the pinch.
Ultra/“Gigabit” speed: 750 Mbps, 1 Gbps, or even 2 Gbps
This is premium territory. Ideal for power users, creators uploading massive files, home labs, or households packed with 20+ connected devices. For many, it’s more than overkill — but the margin of comfort can be worth it.
Upload speed matters — especially now
Most people focus on download speed, because that’s what you see when streaming, browsing or downloading games. But upload speed governs what happens when you shout out — uploading video, sending large files, livestreaming, conference calls. Many newer NBN upgrades are improving uploads.
As of May 2025, NBN “very high speed” plans averaged ~879 Mbps download during all hours (870 Mbps in busy hours) and upload speeds around 46 Mbps.
Fixed-line NBN providers hit over 100 % of plan-speed for downloads during busy hours on average, though uploads tend to trail.
What’s Changing in Australia: New NBN Tiers & Real Performance
To make a smart choice, you need to know what’s available right now in Australia — not what was true five years ago.
The NBN makeover in 2025
September 2025 marks a big shift in Australia’s broadband landscape. NBN Co has rolled out upgraded speed tiers:
- NBN 2000 (Hyperfast): up to 2 Gbps download (200 Mbps upload on fibre, or 100 Mbps upload on HFC)
- Existing tiers have been boosted:
• 100/20 becomes 500/50
• 250/25 becomes 750/50
• 1,000/50 sees its upload doubled to 100 - These upgrades are only available to households on FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) or HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial). If you’re on FTTN or FTTC, you’ll need fibre overbuild or upgrade.
- Some providers are including free upgrades or equipment — e.g. Superloop offering a free Wi-Fi 7 eero router for eligible houses.
Real-world performance is strong
The latest data from the ACCC tells us:
- NBN fixed-line services overall are meeting about 102 % of plan speeds in busy hours (download).
- 90.5 % of download tests hit at least 90 % of plan speed.
- Upload speeds on average hit ~89.9 % of the declared upload speed for many plans.
- Fixed-wireless plans are more variable. They perform at ~89.7 % of plan speeds all hours, and ~84 % in busy hours. Uploads lag more due to asymmetric nature.
So if you pick a well-matched plan, you’re likely to see speeds close to what’s advertised — which is a huge leap from the old days of big gaps between spec and reality.
What Speed Should You Pick? (Aussie Personas & Use Cases)
Let’s walk through a few likely scenarios in Australian homes, offices or “work-from-home setups”, and suggest realistic targets.
Solo or couple, light use
- Needs: streaming Netflix in 1080p, emails, browsing, Spotify
- 25–50 Mbps is plenty
- Choose 50/20 if you also upload sometimes (photos, minimal dev work)
Small family (2–4 people)
- Uses: mixed streaming, occasional gaming, remote work
- 100–250 Mbps is comfortable
- 100/20 or now 500/50 if fibre upgrade is eligible
Power household or creator home office
- Uses: multiple 4K streams, large uploads, gaming, smart home, cloud backup
- 250–500 Mbps or more
- 750/50 or 1,000/100 gives headroom for multiple high-demand users
Tech lover, enthusiast, studio or multi-device home
- Uses: 10–30+ devices, VR, server hosting, large file transfers
- 1 Gbps+ (or 2 Gbps if fibre eligible)
- Upload becomes key — aim for 100 Mbps+ if doing content creation
Business or shared home office
- Depending on scale: 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps or 2 Gbps
- Everything should be symmetrical or close, low latency, redundant links
The Future-Proofing Angle: Planning Ahead in a Speedy World
Here’s a bonus angle to consider: what seems “fast enough” today may feel slow in 2–5 years. The digital world is accelerating. Smart homes, IoT, VR/AR, 8K streaming, remote 3D workspaces — all these will demand more in speed, consistency, and upload capacity.
When choosing a plan, also think:
- How many devices will you have in 5 years?
Smart TVs, home security cameras, sensors, AR/VR headsets — all these will soak bandwidth. - Will you be creating or uploading big content?
If you’ll be sharing gigabyte-sized video files or livestreaming, upload speed is as important as download. - Is symmetric or at least strong upload performance important?
Many new NBN plans are improving upload, but some are still asymmetrical. If your uploads will grow, choose a plan that won’t feel bottlenecked. - Do you want to avoid rewiring or upgrading gear later?
If fibre comes to your area or the provider offers free upgrades, pick the fastest you can reasonably afford now — and keep your internal wiring and router ready to handle it. - Latency, packet loss, jitter matter more than raw speed for some use cases.
For gaming, video calls, remote control of devices — consistency and low latency count. You want a plan and set-up with minimal interruptions.
In short: pick a plan that not only handles today’s usage but gives you breathing room for the next wave of devices and demands.
Common Pitfalls That Kill Your Speed (Even If Your Plan Is Good)
Even if your plan is capable, your experience can suffer due to:
- Old or cheap router — If it doesn’t support the latest Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5, 6, 6E, 7), you won’t see the plan’s full speed.
- Poor placement or obstacles — Thick walls, metal, microwaves, floors, distances all degrade signal.
- Old internal wiring or splitters — If your home’s cabling is outdated or uses lots of splitters, it slows things down.
- Too many devices fighting for bandwidth — Smart TVs, gaming consoles, IoT devices, kids, security cameras — they accumulate.
- Background tasks hogging bandwidth — Automatic updates, cloud backups, torrents, video uploads.
- ISP congestion or line quality issues — Some networks suffer during busy hours, especially in older copper segments (FTTN).
- Not rebooting or resetting hardware periodically — Routers, modems sometimes just get “stale”.
Fixing any of these may give you a better boost than paying more for speed.
Smart Upgrading Strategies: When & How to Move Up (or Stay)
Here’s a simple checklist:
- Test your current connection
– Use a reliable speed test at different times (morning, afternoon, evening)
– Compare upload vs download
– Watch latency, packet loss - Calculate peak demand
– List devices + what they do simultaneously (stream, game, backup)
– Add buffer (20–30 %) - Check your infrastructure
– Are you eligible for fibre upgrades (FTTP, HFC)?
– Is your router capable of higher speeds?
– How good is your internal wiring? - Estimate ROI
– How often do you hit your plan’s max speed?
– Is paying for extra speed justifiable vs owning a better router or wiring? - Choose tier with breathing room
– Don’t pick speed that’s just enough — pick a step higher
– This gives flexibility as device count or demand increases - Plan for the new tiers
– If fibre upgrades or NBN 2000 become available, you don’t want to need all-new wiring or router
– Stay alert to provider offers that shift you automatically - Upgrade in phases
– E.g. upgrade your router first
– Then your internal wiring or switches
– Finally, when your usage justifies it, move to a faster plan
Your Ideal Speed Reimagined
By now you’ve seen that “how much speed you need” isn’t a fixed number — it’s a balance between your usage, your hardware, and your plans for the future. With Australia’s NBN upgrades, fibre expansion, and real-world performance improving, your chances of getting a plan that actually delivers are better than ever.
To summarise:
- Start by assessing how you use the internet — streaming, gaming, uploading, devices
- Match that with recommended speed tiers
- Factor in upload needs, future devices, latency
- Don’t forget internal factors — router, wiring, congestion
- Pick a plan with a bit of headroom so you don’t feel squeezed later
- Use your upgraded network fully — choose devices and a router that make the most of your subscription
At the end of the day, the best plan is one that feels fast in daily life — no lag, no frustration — and doesn’t make you pay more than you need to.
If you pick wisely now, you won’t need to keep switching in five years.
