Is 45 Mbps Enough To Stream 4K Sports Live? - ACT

Watching live sports in 4K video quality is a treat for sports lovers. Yet, you may not get this opportunity due to slow internet speed. If you are thinking how much speed is required to watch live sports in HD quality, you have arrived at the right place.

In this article, you will learn how much speed is enough to stream live sports. You will also get details about different internet connection types and their benefits associated with live streaming.

Is 45 Mbps enough to watch live sports?

The speed required to stream 4K content depends on your streaming device. For instance, Netflix requires an internet with at least 25 Mbps download speed to stream content in 4K video quality. On the other hand, YouTube can play live streams at only 20 Mbps speed.

Though 25 Mbps is enough to watch live sports in 4K quality, it is recommended that you get an internet plan with at least 50 Mbps speed. This is because internet speed may not be consistent 24/7. So, if there is any drop in the speed, it should not affect your overall viewing experience. The minimum internet speed required to stream live content in different streaming platforms is given below:

There is a slight variance in the internet speed at which you can watch 4K sports on different platforms. Yet, it is quite evident that a high-speed internet plan is good enough to stream live sports on most platforms. Apart from speed, a few other factors can affect your streaming experience. These factors include:

1. WiFi Network

If multiple devices are using your WiFi network at the same time, it may slow down the live stream. So, you must disconnect some of these devices before streaming live sports.

The network traffic increases during this time, which puts an extra load on your ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) network. Due to this, the internet speed gets reduced from evening. You must get an internet connection with dedicated and consistent bandwidth 24/7 to resolve this issue.

2. High Ping Rates

Ping rate refers to the time taken to transmit data from the server to your streaming device. If the ping rate is high, it may result in buffering. So, you must ensure that your internet connection offers a lower ping rate. Ping rates lower than 30 ms (milliseconds) are ideal for watching live sports.

If the ping rates exceed 30 ms, plug an ethernet cable into your computer while watching live sports. It will offer a dedicated connection to your streaming device, and you won’t experience lags or buffering.

Wireless connections lose data signals and may experience latency due to bad weather, network congestion, and other issues. To avoid this issue, you can use a wired connection while streaming.

3. Streaming Device

The streaming device you use to watch a sports live match can also affect your overall viewing experience. To watch live matches in 4K video quality, ensure that your equipment can load images at high speed.

4. Download Speeds

The internet speed can be bifurcated into two types: uploadspeed and download speed. The upload speed matters when you host a live stream. It is because upload speed refers to how your device uploads information on a server.

Download speed is how your device loads the information uploaded on the server. So, the download speed matters when you watch live sports. A minimum of 40 Mbps speed is good enough to stream videos in 4K video quality.

You can use a speed testing application to measure the upload speed and download speed. Most applications also provide information about the latency or ping rate.

How to fix common issues while streaming?

Now that you know about some common issues that you can face while streaming a live sports event let's see how to fix these issues:

1. Ensure that your ISP delivers what’s promised

Most users suffer from issues like buffering while they stream a sports match live. The most common reason is that their ISP does not deliver what is promised. Their network infrastructure may not be capable of offering high-speed internet.

To counter this issue, you must switch your internet provider. Search for an ISP that has a good reputation in your area. Enquire about the speeds they offer for different types of broadband connections.

You can research their service by checking their online reviews and websites. If they don’t have a website, you can discuss it with the people using their plans. Finally, you must also use a speed testing application like Ookla to ensure that you get high-speed internet.

2. Set the WiFi frequency to 5 GHz

The WiFi channel frequency of your router may not be suitable for watching live sports in 4K video quality. The 2.4 GHz channel frequency of your WiFi router offers a longer range. However, it lowers the internet speed to some extent.

If you set the frequency to 5 GHz, it will offer a high-speed internet connection. However, it will also reduce the WiFi range to some extent. You may place your streaming device near the router to counter this issue. Or else, you can use a WiFi extender.

A WiFi extender distributes the data signals evenly across your rooms. So, you won’t suffer from speed-related issues if your streaming device is far from the router.

3. Upgrade your router or streaming software

Your streaming software may not be updated to the latest edition or version. So, update the software and check whether your streaming experience improves.

The router should also be updated to the latest firmware version to process the received data packets efficiently. Sometimes, simply resetting the router can solve speed-related issues.

4. Get the best internet connection

The internet connection type of your broadband plan may be the reason for the underlying speed and bandwidth-related issues. An internet connection transmitted over copper cable may suffer heating issues. So, streaming live sports for longer hours may not be possible.

Though cable internet offers a high internet speed, it does not offer consistent upload speed. Some cable TV providers bundle up their WiFi services with TV packages. However, this type of internet suffers from network congestion during peak hours.

A satellite connection will not perform up to the mark during bad weather conditions. 5G mobile data plans may offer high-speed internet to stream sports live. Yet, they come with limited data, due to which there is a chance of running out of data while streaming a live match.

Fibre internet or Fibernet is the best option to watch live sports in 4K video quality. This type of internet uses light signals to transmit data over glass or plastic strands. So, the data transmission becomes fast, reliable, and secure. Speeds of up to 1 Gbps can be easily availed with fibre-optic networks. However, its limited availability in India can be an issue. Some of the benefits of using Fibernet broadband plans are discussed below.

Benefits of Using Fibre Internet

Here are some of the benefits of using a fibre internet connection:

1. Consistent speed and bandwidth

A fibre-optic network offers consistent speeds throughout the day. You won’t experience downtimes during peak hours as this connection offers a dedicated bandwidth. Also, the fibre internet network is robust as the wires are dug deep into the ground. So, the connection does not fluctuate due to rain, cloudy weather, and other external reasons.

Fibernet providers also offer static IPs, which ensure high-quality connectivity and speed. The consistent connection and speed the static IPs offer make them a reliable option for watching live sports.

2. Symmetric download and upload speeds

Fibre internet offers symmetric upload speed and download speed. It means you can watch live sports in 4K quality without issues. You can also play games and live stream your videos smoothly.

3. Secure

It is safe to use fibre-optic internet as it transmits data using light pulses. As light signals cannot be intercepted easily, your private and confidential data remains protected from hackers.

While the benefits of fibre internet make it the best option to stream sports live, you might not get a true fibre-optic network. Many cable internet providers connect with a fibre-optic network to offer high-speed internet.

They market their offering as fibre internet, but they are not using fibre wires to connect with the network. The final internet speed and quality may be as good as a cable internet connection. So, always cross-check whether true Fibernet services are available in your area before subscribing to a broadband plan.

Stream Sports Live With ACT Fibernet

At ACT Fibernet, we offer true Fibernet services in 23 cities across India. Our robust network technology and sophisticated network infrastructure ensure you can watch live sports without buffering. We offer lightning-fast speeds of up to 1 Gbps with equal upload speed and download speed. Some of the highlights of our offerings include:

1. SLAs

We offer business internet plans for businesses that need the internet for their daily operations. Our enterprise internet plans are backed with SLAs (Service Level Agreements), which ensure that all the promised requirements are met.

Our business plans offer dedicated services and lightning-fast speeds without any compromises. If you are a live streamer or YouTuber, you can access our dedicated leased line or subscribe to our corporate plan.

We also offer affordable home internet plans. Our home internet plans also offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps, which is good enough for streaming live games.

2. Dedicated bandwidth

Our broadband plans' dedicated bandwidth ensures that you easily handle all your other internet needs.

For instance, you can watch live sports, play high-end games, and browse the internet without disturbance. You can also connect multiple devices with the WiFi without deteriorating video or streaming quality.

3. Wide range of plans

We offer a wide range of broadband plans, which allow you to pick the package that suits your requirements. You can change the plan whenever you want by using our mobile app. You can also use this app to pay the internet bill securely.

4. Highly trained support staff

Our support staff are fully skilled and trained to handle internet issues. Their expertise will help you resolve all your technical issues without any hassles.

5. Access to multiple streaming options

With ACT Fibernet broadband plans, you can access Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, Amazon Prime, and other OTT platforms. So, streaming sports in HD quality will be much better if you are ACT users. Also, you don’t have to pay anything extra to access these content streaming platforms.

Our apps also provide access to 300+ live TV channels. With access to YuppTV Scope, you can watch the missed highlights of live matches. All these options make ACT Fibernet your ideal streaming partner!

Conclusion

These were some tips and insights to upgrade your live streaming experience. Start by checking your internet speed. If you face buffering or any other issue while streaming, contact your ISP ASAP.

If the issues persist, switch to a reliable internet provider and redefine your streaming experience. At ACT Fibernet, we offer super-fast internet speed and consistent bandwidth. Our broadband plans are highly tailored to meet your live streaming and gaming needs. We also offer bundled-up TV services and add-ons to our users. Contact our support team today for more information about our broadband plans and features.