Panther Tracks: Guides to Student Success

What internet connection do I need?

wifi

College students usually require internet access. You can find computers with fast internet and campus-wide wifi at each of the campuses. An adequate home internet connection to supplement this can help you succeed. Selecting an Internet Service Provider can be confusing. Hopefully, the information here helps you feel comfortable choosing a home Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Availability

What Internet Service Providers are available at your home? There are a number of ad-supported services that help individuals find an ISP in their area. A couple of well-known examples are broadbandnow.com and inmyarea.com.

gauge high

Not sure how fast an internet speed is going to feel? This Speed Simulator might help.

Speed vs. cost

Different ISPs offer different plans and prices. How much speed do you need? The following tools can help you decide.

The table below shows the minimum suggested speeds for common online activities.

Minimum internet speeds
Speed Activities
0–5 Mbps
  • Email
  • Streaming music (one device)
  • Visiting websites
5–40 Mbps

recommended
  • Streaming video (one device)
  • Video calling and meetings (Zoom, Google Meet)
  • Online gaming (one player)
40–100 Mbps

recommended
  • Streaming HD video (and more than one device)
  • Multiplayer online gaming
  • Downloading large files quickly
100–500 Mbps
  • Streaming video in UHD (multiple screens)
500–1,000+ Mbps
  • Doing a lot of almost anything on numerous devices simultaneously

Reliability

How much can you depend on your connection? Students often face deadlines, and an unreliable connection can lead to frustration and missed deadlines. If your internet connection is unreliable your ISP can help.

An internet speed test can help determine how reliable your connection is. It’s normal to get somewhat less than the speed you purchased. How can you tell if your connection is unreliable?

  • Slow speeds – speed much less than you pay for
  • Varying speed – If you do the test a few times and get very different results.
  • Connection lost – Losing your connection frequently or for long periods of time

If your connection is unreliable, consider reaching out to your ISP. They may be able to help. If your connection remains unreliable after they have tried to help, it may be time to change ISPs.

Free internet access alternatives

Lowered-cost home internet