BPS Home Internet Basics
Home Internet Basics for BPS Families
A quality broadband connection is required to ensure students are able to complete the educational tasks assigned to them by their teacher.
This site will help guide families on recommended remote learning connection speeds, how to assess their current home internet bandwidth, and resources to improve or upgrade your home internet access.
Home Internet Recommendations:
BPS Tech Services recommends a household internet speed of at least 25 (Megabits per second) and at least 5 Mbps per remote learning device.
Recommended Home Internet Speeds by Task
Speeds are noted in Mbps and are for recommended upload/download speeds
Email, Text & Web Browsing
Recommend atleast 1 Mbps per student device
Audio Streaming (Calls/Podcast)
Recommend at least 1.5 Mbps per student device
Google Meets (Video)
While 1.5 to 3 Mbps may work, we recommend at least 5 Mbps per student device
Streaming Video (YouTube)
While 3 Mbps may work, we recommend at least 5 Mbps per student device
4K Video Streaming
We recommend at least 25 Mbps per student device
“Do-It-Yourself” Speed Test
While on your home network, browse to the website https://www.speedtest.net/ and press “go.” The website will calculate your average download and upload speeds.
Once you press “go” let the website run, it will most likely take a 1-4 minutes for it to connect and process your speeds.
One completed the website will show you a report of your current “download” and “upload” speeds. If you speeds are lower than recommended, please see our below speed improvement tips or contact your internet service provider (ISP) to upgrade your service
How To Improve Your Home Internet:
Turn off your idle devices; i.e. PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and limit your use of streaming services during remote learning times
Check where your router is located. Placing it in a cabinet or behind doors/walls will only degrade the connection. Instead, place it in an unobstructed place.
Consider a wired connection. If possible, a wired connection to your router will always be faster and more reliable than using a wireless (WiFi) connection.
If your service was installed more than two years ago, contact your ISP to see if they will upgrade the router you are using. Newer routers can be significantly faster and more reliable.
A router refresh (Reboot) occasionally will improve the speed if there is a noticeable lag in connection.
WiFi extenders are an inexpensive device that can improve range throughout your household.
If these tips still don’t improve your home internet speeds, please contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to learn how to upgrade your internet connection.