In the era of digitalisation, an internet connection has become a basic need for all households. Apart from work and educational purposes, the internet has become an integral component for home entertainment. From watching a movie to playing an engaging online game, the internet is essential for satisfying home entertainment.
So, what is the best home internet plan for gaming and streaming? Let’s discover the top gaming and streaming plans in Australia in the following section.
Types of Internet Plans
Before moving forward, it is crucial to understand the types of internet plans. Broadly, internet plans in Australia fall under four categories.
1. Unlimited Data Plan
As the name implies, such internet plans come with unlimited data usage provision. You can browse the internet for gaming and online streaming without concern for exhausting your data limit. These plans bring freedom to stream content whenever you want. Since data usage is not predictable in gaming and streaming, an unlimited plan becomes mandatory in such cases.
2. Limited Data Plan
A limited data plan is the opposite of the unlimited data plan. When you choose a limited data plan, you will get a daily or monthly data cap. However, users can still access the internet after exhausting their capped data.
An additional data usage will be charged additionally according to the pricing policy of your service provider. Limited data plans are cheaper, though only suitable for people with moderate internet usage. For avid gamers and online streaming lovers, unlimited plans are more suitable.
3. Fixed Wireless Plan
In some regions, especially the rural areas, fibre or cable internet infrastructure is not yet available. In such areas, wireless internet plans are popular. The fixed wireless plans use the cellular networks to render internet connectivity to the users. The wireless internet connection is not as flawless as the cable internet plans. Besides speed fluctuations during peak and non-peak hours, you may experience frequent internet outages.
4. Cable and Fibre Plan
In urban and semi-urban regions, the fibre or cable infrastructure is ready. Therefore, cable or fibre plans are popular in such regions. Typically, the optical fibre cables deliver the fastest internet service. Besides top speed, the fibre internet service is stable to ensure an uninterrupted service.
Tips to Choose the Right Plan for Gaming and Streaming
Picking the right internet plan for gaming and streaming is not complex if you keep a few things in mind. In the following section, find a meticulous guide on choosing the best internet plan.
1. Understand the Speed
Most people want HD quality streaming nowadays, and an internet speed between 5 and 10 MBPS is the most suitable for HD streaming. People who desire to watch 4K (Ultra HD) streaming should switch to the internet plans featuring a minimum speed of 25 MBPS.
On the other hand, gamers also need an internet speed of at least 25 MBPS. For both gaming and streaming purposes, NBN 50 is recommended for regular households. For larger families, NBN 100 or above plans are suitable. With NBN 100 and above plans, you can seamlessly watch movies and web series in 4K (Ultra HD) quality.
2. Low Latency Is a Priority
Latency is the key if you are an avid online gamer. You need a stable internet service to enjoy uninterrupted gaming. Therefore, gamers should look for a ping under 50ms for a flawless gaming experience. Keep in mind that wireless internet plans have a higher latency. Therefore, it is better to avoid such internet plans if you want to enjoy gaming and online streaming.
3. Quality of Modem or Router
Speed also depends on the modem or router quality. For an optimum internet speed, you should invest in gaming-grade routers. Moreover, you should also look for routers offering dual-band or tri-band support. You can purchase modems or routers from your internet service providers. Alternatively, you can purchase them separately from the marketplace.
4. Unlimited Data Plan Is a Must
Choose an unlimited data plan if you are an avid gamer. For both gaming and online streaming, an unlimited broadband plan is a must for the best experience. For example, a single movie played in 4K can consume data up to 10 GB. So, streaming 2-3 hours daily can lead to a monthly internet usage of around 300 GB. Therefore, it is always better to choose an unlimited internet plan when gaming and streaming are your priorities.
5. Compare Plans and Providers
Do not forget to compare multiple plans and providers when it comes to choosing the right broadband plan for home entertainment. You can find different types of plans, featuring diverse speeds, data limits, latencies, etc. Picking a plan after comparing them will help you choose the best-suited plan without hassles.
Bottom Line
Hope the tips discussed above will help you pick the best broadband plan for home entertainment purposes. Plans that suit both gaming and streaming are in high demand nowadays. Therefore, internet service providers often bring new plans and luring discounts to attract customers.
Compare Your Broadband is here to help you in choosing the best internet plan for home entertainment. Contact our experts if you want assistance with choosing the right broadband plan for your home. We compare hundreds of plans from top internet providers and fetch the best plans that meet your requirements with precision.