Fast Internet for Streaming

Friends having fun streaming an event on TV over the internet

Today's golden age of television is about more than the incredible TV streaming options available from Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu. It's also about the quality of the high-definition pictures. We can laugh alongside Nate Bargatze as he comes to life in our living room or grip our couch cushion as a thousand zombies seem to stumble down the steps. 

Enjoying the highest possible resolutions requires more than just the new 72" flat screen you picked up during last weekend's big sale. You'll also need a home internet service that can support ultra-high definition 4K, with video quality that pulls you into the scene. 

If fiber internet is available in your area, you're in luck. A connection with Quantum Fiber can slay a thousand 4K zombies, all night long.

Couple enjoying a program on their streaming service

Fiber tops every list of TV streaming options

Friends enjoying a program on their streaming service

Whether going deep with Ken Burns or relaxing with a romcom, television is best enjoyed at the highest available resolution. A fiber internet connection lets you fully harness your TV's capabilities and your streaming subscriptions. That's thanks to four key characteristics of fiber internet for streaming TV:

  • Speed: A 4K video stream can download as much as 10 GB of data every hour. Fortunately, that’s easily within the realm of any Quantum Fiber plan.
  • Low latency: If the speed of your fiber connection is a sleek new jet, low latency is the smooth sky it flies in. Switching to fiber means you can expect a turbulence-free experience—virtually no lag time—even when a Call of Duty battle is happening upstairs while you immerse yourself in a 4K Star Wars battle. 
  • Reliability: Fiber lines are typically buried underground, shielding them from wind, lightning, and electrical issues. Because they transmit data through light pulses, they’re extremely stable. 
  • Multi-device support: A fiber connection’s combination of speed, low latency, and reliability allows you to grow. When the number of connected devices in your house stretches into the dozens, from TVs to smart thermostats to wireless cameras, your fiber connection is ready to handle them all. 

Choose the right internet speed for your streaming needs

Choose the right internet speed for your streaming needs

At work or home, we've all experienced the frustration of a dropped or lagging video call or an upload that seems to take forever. You can't help congestion when you log in at the coffee shop down the street (at least until they switch to fiber). But in the spaces you control, there's a fiber fix. 

In your home, there's no reason to settle for throttled internet speeds that slow down your streaming. But how much speed do you need?

  • Standard definition: A 480p SD stream requires a minimum download speed of 4 Mbps. 
  • High definition: A 720p HD stream requires a minimum download speed of 5-6 Mbps. 
  • Full high definition: A 1080p HD stream requires a minimum download speed of 8 Mbps.
  • Ultra-high definition: A 4K stream requires a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps.

These numbers are based on estimates from the Federal Communications Commission

An ultra-high definition 4K stream can use 7-10 GB per hour. Fortunately, a fiber connection reaching up to 500 Mbps can easily handle multiple screens viewing 4K streams. If you also have gamers or people making video conference calls in your household, consider a multi-gig plan (available in some areas) to help minimize lag time while enjoying your favorite shows. 

Most major streaming services (including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video) offer 4K streams. Our streaming service recommendation tool can help you choose the best services and shows for your interests. 

If you own a TV with 4K resolution capabilities, don’t let slow internet compromise your experience.

Dad and daughter having fun gaming together
Dad and kids having fun together using their tablet