When you hear the word “bandwidth,” you might think streaming, gaming, or video calls. But there are less obvious devices, apps, and activities constantly using your internet in the background. These “silent” users can add up, especially when multiple people are online at the same time.
If you are on a lower-tiered internet package, the bandwidth overload can start to cause noticeable and frustrating slowdowns when you sit after a long day to catch up on your favorite TV show. You may also notice issues and frustrations using these less thought about devices if you don’t have complete WiFi coverage in your home.
FPUAnet Communications wants to help you understand what devices may be sneaking around on your network and hogging your bandwidth. Stick around to see why our Managed WiFi may be exactly what you need for the best and most secure home network connection!
Cloud Storage
Often, mobile devices are set to back up their data to the cloud when the device hits a recognized WiFi network. Background syncing happens automatically, sometimes during peak hours.
For smaller or fewer files, such as a few files saved from an email, the bandwidth pull is negligible. However, large file syncs can easily consume noticeable amounts of bandwidth during active transfers. Photos and videos are the biggest culprits since they’re large files.
Smart Home Tech
Smart home tech often includes things like WiFi connected plugs, bulbs, thermostats, speakers, home assistants, and even appliances like stoves or robot vacuums. Since these devices don’t typically have screens attached or get interacted with as often as TVs or cell phones, it’s easy to forget they are lurking on your network.
Individually, each of these devices use a very small amount of data (~0.5–2 Mbps each). However, it’s easy to add more and more smart devices to your home after you realize how convenient they can make life. As you add more devices, you could be multiplying that small bandwidth usage by dozens of devices that spike with downloading updates, streaming shows, or making video calls.
Smart speakers and home assistants like Alexa, Google Home, and Siri use a consistently low amount of bandwidth (<1 Mbps per device). They are always connected to be “always on” to listen for wake words and new commands. Bandwidth spikes when they are used to stream music and video or to controlling other devices.
As AI assistants get smarter and integrate more closely with smart cameras, appliances, and home hubs, bandwidth use will grow.
Security Tech
Smart security devices like cameras, doorbells, locks, and sensors need to be always connected with a strong WiFi signal, making reliability more important than speed. That said, they do use bandwidth consistently to record footage and send alerts. Further, you want to be able to access the live stream on cameras and doorbells on demand without lag.
One Ring camera can use 2 Mbps for 1080p or 3.5Mbps for 2K live streaming; multiple cameras quickly add up, especially the better quality the footage. Reliability and speed are both equally important as interruptions could mean missed footage or alerts.
Adding It All Up
When looking at each of these devices or use cases individually, they may not use much bandwidth. However, multiply each of these bandwidth counts by the number of devices on the network, and you can see how everything starts to come together.
When you start calculating those numbers in with your regular, everyday bandwidth usage like streaming and working from home, you can easily reach 50Mbps or more at one time. Then, that by multiple family members, and you can see how “hidden” usage adds up fast.
While a conservative household may get by with 100-200 Mbps, most families with multiple devices benefit from gigabit fiber.
Stay in Control with Managed WiFi
FPUAnet’s Managed WiFi service lets you:
- See which devices are connected to your network and using bandwidth in real-time.
- Pause devices (like smart TVs or kid’s gaming consoles).
- See if devices are connected with a strong WiFi signal.
- Prioritize critical activities like work calls during peak hours.
- Protection for all your home devices from outside malware and virus attacks.
FPUAnet Can Keep Up
Fiber internet from FPUAnet provides symmetrical download and upload speeds, ensuring you are connected without lag or slowdowns, so you get the most out of your streaming, gaming, security cameras, and other connected devices. Add Managed WiFi with FPUAnet to take full control of your home network.
Call FPUAnet to get a personalized recommendation for your household’s needs from your local bandwidth experts!