Internet speeds for streaming

Your data use for streaming music depends mostly on sound quality. The higher the bit rate (kilobits per second or kbps), the clearer the sound, but the more data it takes to listen. Below are a few common bit rates used by streaming services, along with the approximate data each one uses per hour:

Most streaming services automatically optimize your bitrate to give you the best sound possible without running into buffering. But if you want to keep your data usage low as a rule, you can easily change the quality setting.

Note: Your data use also depends on which streaming service you use, since each streaming service may use different compression techniques and file types. If you aren’t loyal to a specific platform, you may want to experiment by tracking usage on your Viasat app with each platform.

Streaming TV, movies, and other videos uses different amounts of data depending on the picture quality. The higher the resolution, the better the video streaming quality, but the more data it takes to download. Below are the industry quality standards, along with the approximate data each one uses:

When you stream on Viasat for the first time, check your settings first for the default video quality. If you want to save data, you can select a lower default resolution. Or, you can let it auto-adjust to give you the best quality possible based on the current traffic on your network.

Like any modern internet service today, satellite internet service gives you the bandwidth you need for everyday activities—including streaming videos that randomly pop up in your news or social media feeds.

Keep in mind that even with enough internet speed for live streaming or binge-watching TV on streaming services, satellite internet networks manage data more carefully than land-based internet because of the satellite capacities. With metered plans that have hard data caps, you may see extra fees for streaming a lot, and with unlimited data plans, you might experience slower speeds after using your priority data.

With the right satellite internet plan speed and priority data level, you can find a sweet spot for streaming what you like most.

Viasat internet for streaming tightly manages the network to help you watch videos at decent quality without eating too much into your priority data.

To help you save on data, Viasat streaming internet has several tools in place: default streaming quality for all devices, which you can change on the Viasat app; a personalized data meter, also available on the Viasat app; and the Viasat Browser, which blocks ads and preselects your streaming resolution.

With satellite internet plans at 25 Mbps or higher, you should be able to stream Netflix from time to time without accruing extra data fees or slowing your speeds.

To see exactly how streaming Netflix affects your data use, check the meter on your app after streaming a movie. If you need to, you can then adjust your Netflix habits to save bandwidth for the rest of the month.