What is streaming?
Streaming delivers content over the Internet direct to your connected devices. You can listen and boogie on down to your top tunes or watch your favourite TV shows and movies all online without having to download any data or files. When you stream, the media file such as a song or movie is stored remotely on a server, not on your smart TV, laptop, smartphone or tablet. As streaming content is online, you can watch or listen in real time or on demand.
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is simply how fast a device can transfer data over a network or Internet connection. The more devices using your connection the smaller the share of bandwidth being divided between them. The slower your connection, the quicker you’ll see the effect of this. Think of it like a motorway. You can have a really fast car, but if the motorway is really busy you can only go as the fast as the traffic will allow.
What broadband speed do I need for streaming?
If you love bingeing on boxsets, sports, movies, and music, you’re probably signed up to the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Get the most from your broadband for streaming with our tips on the speeds you’ll need.
TV and video
The best broadband for streaming depends on which format you like to stream your content. Streaming in a higher resolution will use more bandwidth. The choices for video streaming are:
- Standard definition or SD needs a minimum speed of 3Mb
- High definition or HD needs a minimum speed of 5Mb
- 4K or ultra-high definition or UHD needs a minimum speed of 25Mb
Music
Streaming music is lightweight compared to streaming videos. The minimum internet speed needed to stream music on platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music is 0.96Mb. Our packages are perfect for streaming all your tunes on lots of different devices.
Video calls
Video calls are now part of our work and social lives these days, so having a superfast broadband service that makes this as buffer-free as possible is really important. For Zoom and Skype calls the minimum download speed is 2.5Mb and recommended upload speed is 3Mb.
Live streaming e.g. Twitch
Want to share your adventures with the gaming world? If you’re looking to stream your own videos on Twitch, you’ll need an upload speed of 3-6Mb. Find out more in our guide to broadband for gamers.
Make buffering a thing of the past
Sick of your videos stuttering as you wait for them to load? Make this a thing of the past with our ultrafast Full Fibre broadband packages.
Stream the sport you love
Engrossed in Football, Tennis, Rugby, Boxing or WWE? Never miss any of the action with ultrafast Full Fibre our best broadband for live streaming sport and get speeds up to 900Mb.
Our best broadband for streaming
With a strong reliable Internet connection and all the speeds you need, we’ve got your broadband for streaming sorted. Get Ultrafast Full Fibre our fastest ever packages with download speeds up to 900Mb. Stream what you like when you like, no bother.
With our part Fibre broadband package you’ll get the fastest speed your home can get, making the choice easy for you. With superfast download speeds of up to 66Mb. All you need to do is decide what you’re going stream and watch.
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Here’s the legal bit
You can see our full residential terms and conditions here.
On 31 March each year the monthly plan price will increase by £3 for Broadband and out of bundle charges will increase 5%. See About annual price changes for details. Please note the cost of other services you take from us may increase or decrease while you are a Plusnet customer.
Broadband without a landline
- Your home phone will be disconnected and will no longer work.
- You will lose your home phone number and will not be able to get it back. You'll have to get a brand new number if you decide you need a home phone in the future.
- You won't be able to make or receive calls, including to emergency services.
- Healthcare alarms, medical pendants, security systems and any other services which are connected to your home phone will no longer work.
1. Broadband Packages
- Broadband packages are subject to 24 month contract and availability.
- Payment by direct debit.
- Your pre contract information and contract summary sets out your speed estimates, total monthly costs, total upfront costs and the amount you will pay once your minimum term ends. This is available at checkout.
- Please see our price guide for all broadband charges.
1.1 Fibre and Full Fibre packages
- Subject to availability, geographic location, computer specifications and a line check. The exchange list and dates are subject to change.
- Prices and terms subject to change during the contract term.
- Openreach may have to carry out a survey before they can connect your home to Full Fibre. If they do, they may need access to your property, but we’ll contact you first to arrange a suitable time.
- If additional work is required, this may take longer than the initial set up time provided and there could be additional costs, we’ll contact you to confirm what additional work is needed and how long this will take, usually within four weeks from the date you placed your order.
- If you do not want to proceed with your upgrade based on this, you’ll be able to cancel your order without being charged.
2. Existing Customers
- Please see our price guide for all broadband and home phone charges, log into your account in the Member Centre or call us on 0330 1239 123 to discuss your contract.
3. Speeds
- Please see our guide to Broadband speeds for more information about what speeds mean and what package is best for you.
4. EE Sim Plan
4.1 SIM Plans
30 day minimum term. Subject to terms and credit check. Monthly charges assume online billing. You will not get 5G speeds using a 4G phone. Allowances for use in UK (excluding Jersey, Guernsey & Isle of Man) and Republic of Ireland. A daily charge applies to use allowances in the EU/EEA unless you have an add-on or Inclusive Extra that includes EU Roaming. See roaming costs page for countries and details. 50GB data fair use policy applies outside the UK. See ee.co.uk/terms for countries and details. Deposit needed for roaming in limited circumstances. Use your allowance to call/text UK mobiles, and landlines starting 01, 02 and 03 when in UK & Republic of Ireland. Some numbers aren’t included: calls to 070 numbers cost up to 5p/min and calls to 084, 087, 09 & 118 cost 83p/min plus the applicable service charge. See ee.co.uk/prices for the EE Price Guide for a detailed list of service charges and other charges outside of your allowance. Personal use only.
4.2 Essentials SIM
Includes speeds capped at 100Mbps, Data Gifting and Stay Connected Data
4.3 Stay Connected Data
If you have a capped data allowance (i.e. not an unlimited data plan) once you have used up your monthly data allowance your speed will be capped at 0.5Mbps. You will regain access to our fastest speeds upon (1) renewal of your monthly plan allowance, (2) by buying one of our data add-ons, or (3) If you are gifted data by someone else in your family account. Once the data add-on or gifted data runs out, you will return to the capped speed until your monthly plan allowance has renewed. Not available with No Frills plans.
4.4 Data Gifting
Account holder only can gift between pay monthly plans on the same account in increments of 500MB. Unlimited data plans can gift up to 100GB. Data usage on an unlimited data plan will be deducted from giftable allowance. No gifting to/from Smart Watches, 4G Home, 5G Home or 30-day 4G WiFi or 5G WiFi plans. Data not used in a month does not roll over, allowances are set back to zero at the start of each month. If you are outside your price plans standard countries when your monthly allowances refresh on your bill date the main account holder will not be able to gift data until you return to the UK/EU. Data can only be used in accordance with the plan terms applicable to the receiving line.
5. Broadband Extras
Plusnet Safeguard
Included with all of our broadband packages, Plusnet Safeguard filters inappropriate web content for your household. Further information can be found here.
Plusnet Protect powered by Norton™
Our security package protects you from online threats. Charges apply for Unlimited Fibre broadband customers. Further information can be found here.
Software Support for Plusnet's Broadband Devices
For further information on Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI), software support and how to report software vulnerabilities please refer to Software Support and Reporting Security Issues.
Available with relevant promotions and products, as displayed on the product card or in basket.
Once your broadband and line rental are activated you will be issued claim information via email. Follow the instructions in this email to be issued with your Plusnet Reward Card. You must submit your claim within two months of the email being issued. The card must be activated within three months of it being issued.
This card is issued by GVS Prepaid Limited, an Electronic Money Institution authorised in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority with Firm Reference number 900230; pursuant to licence from Mastercard International. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. See Plusnet Reward Card terms.
£30 Plusnet Reward Card with Full Fibre 75
£30 Plusnet Reward Card offer ends 1 January 2025, and is available to new Plusnet customers ordering Full Fibre 74 on a 24 month contract online at www.plus.net or by calling Plusnet. Subject to availability.
£50 Plusnet Reward Card with Full Fibre 145
£50 Plusnet Reward Card offer ends 1 January 2025, and is available to new Plusnet customers ordering Full Fibre 145 on a 24 month contract online at www.plus.net or by calling Plusnet. Subject to availability.
£50 Plusnet Reward Card with Full Fibre 500
£50 Plusnet Reward Card offer ends 1 January 2025, and is available to new Plusnet customers ordering Full Fibre 500 on a 24 month contract online at www.plus.net or by calling Plusnet. Subject to availability.
£50 Plusnet Reward Card with Full Fibre 900
£50 Plusnet Reward Card offer ends 1 January 2025, and is available to new Plusnet customers ordering Full Fibre 900 on a 24 month contract online at www.plus.net or by calling Plusnet. Subject to availability.
£30 Plusnet Reward Card with Fibre
£30 Plusnet Reward Card offer ends 1 January 2025, and is available to new Plusnet customers ordering Fibre on a 24 month contract online at www.plus.net or by calling Plusnet. Subject to availability.
£30 Plusnet Reward Card with Full Fibre 300
£30 Plusnet Reward Card offer ends 1 January 2025, and is available to new Plusnet customers ordering Full Fibre 300 on a 24 month contract online at www.plus.net or by calling Plusnet. Subject to availability.
£30 Plusnet Reward Card with Full Fibre 500
£30 Plusnet Reward Card offer ends 1 January 2025, and is available to new Plusnet customers ordering Full Fibre 500 on a 24 month contract online at www.plus.net or by calling Plusnet. Subject to availability.