What internet speed do you need for IPTV?

IPTV streams video over your internet connection, so the speed and stability of that connection decide how smooth the picture is. The good news: most home broadband connections today are fast enough, as long as the home network is set up well.

A useful reference point

Netflix, for example, recommends about 5 Mbps per stream for HD and 25 Mbps per stream for Ultra HD (4K). Live TV is less forgiving than on-demand video because it cannot load far ahead, so it is wise to plan with a comfortable margin above these figures.

A practical rule for IPTV

• HD and Full HD: plan for around 10 Mbps per screen.
• 4K, where available: plan for 25 Mbps or more per screen.
• Several screens: add up the screens that watch at the same time, then leave room for phones, computers and other household use.

For example, two TVs watching in Full HD at the same time are comfortable on a stable connection of around 30 Mbps or more, depending on what else the household uses.

Stability matters as much as speed

A fast connection that drops out regularly gives a worse picture than a slightly slower one that stays steady. Wi-Fi is the most common weak point: thick walls, distance and busy networks reduce the real speed your TV receives. A network cable or a good mesh system fixes most of these problems.

How to test your connection

• Run a speed test on the device you watch on, not on your phone next to the router.
• Test in the evening, when home and local networks are busiest.
• Run the test a few times and look at the lowest result, not the best one.

If your connection is on the slow side

Use a cable, pause large downloads while watching and keep the number of screens watching at once within what your connection can carry. Our article on how to stop IPTV buffering has more fixes, and the free 24-hour trial lets you check everything before you order.