We’ve put together this guide to help streamers and content creators find the best broadband deals for their setup. From speed requirements to connection stability, here’s what you need to know.
As a streamer or content creator, you rely on a fast, stable internet connection. Unlike the average user, you're often uploading large video files, streaming high-resolution content in real time and managing multiple devices on your home network.
That means you need:
Here’s a general guide for the minimum upload speeds needed for common streaming resolutions:
Top tip
Always allow extra bandwidth (20–50%) on top of the minimum requirements, especially if others in your household are also online.
Anyone working with online content really needs full fibre to get the best results.
Full fibre gives you the fastest broadband speed possible – these will be packages advertising 100Mbps plus. This technology relies entirely on fibre optic cables that run from the broadband exchange to your property, which is also why they can be known as ‘fibre to the premises’ (FTTP). There’s no need for anything in between. Using this technique it is possible to get speeds exceeding 1,000Mbps (1Gbps). Issues like buffering and outages will become a thing of the past with full fibre.
As discussed above, upload speeds are just as important as download speeds for anyone streaming.
When you glance at a broadband deal, the speed you’ll see advertised will probably be a download speed.
The best choice for anyone streaming will be a broadband package with symmetrical speeds. This means that they give the same upload and download speeds. Upload speeds are normally considerably lower, which makes this a great choice if you need a connection that can handle very large file uploads and gaming.
With the advent of working from home, video conferencing and streaming, you'll be surprised to find that still most providers don't offer symmetrical speeds. It's common to find huge download speeds accompanied with much smaller – 20Mbps for example – upload speeds.
Why? It's a combination of factors mainly due to the infrastructure. You'll find the newer alternative networks are the ones to offer symmetrical speeds. Lesser known names that offer cheaper prices and a faster service – win win! Look at Hyperoptic, Community Fibre, Brsk, Fibrus, Gigaclear, 4th Utility, Zzoomm, Quickline and Lit Fibre.
Truly unlimited data
Streaming and uploading can chew through data. Most packages these days are now unlimited, but always double-check the small print because some ‘unlimited’ broadband contracts come with fair use policies which have their own restrictions. Check with your provider before signing up.
Wired connection > Wi-Fi
Ethernet is your best friend for stable streaming. While Wi-Fi is convenient, it can be unpredictable, for streamers and content creators, even a brief drop in signal can mean laggy video, audio sync issues, or a complete stream disconnect. That’s why using a wired Ethernet connection is strongly recommended. Plugging your streaming PC or console directly into your router with an Ethernet cable provides a faster, more stable, and lower-latency connection.
A dedicated router
Some ISP routers aren’t optimised for heavy upload traffic. Consider upgrading to a streamer-friendly router which has a Quality of Service setting, allowing you to prioritise streaming or upload traffic over other devices on the network. This means your stream won’t suffer just because someone else is downloading a game or watching YouTube in the next room.
Your broadband isn’t just a utility – it’s your creative lifeline. Choosing the right package gives you the freedom to stream in HD, connect with your community in real time, and upload content without the endless spinning wheel of doom.
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