Internet Plan Value Calculator
What an internet plan is worth — the cost per megabit and per user, how long a large download takes, how many 4K streams it carries at once, and whether a data cap would run out.
Speed is what you pay for and rarely what you need.
How the internet plan value calculator works
Speed is what you pay for and rarely what you need. A 4K stream uses about 25 megabits per second; a household of three streaming at once needs 75 and a 100 Mbps plan carries them. Download time is file size in megabits over the speed — a 50 GB game at 100 Mbps is over an hour, at 1,000 it is seven minutes. Dividing the price by the speed shows what an upgrade actually buys.
Formula: cost per Mbps = price / speed; download seconds = GB × 8000 / Mbps; streams = speed / Mbps per stream
Worked examples
| Inputs | Cost per Mbps per month | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 100/20 for three people | 0.79 | adequate |
| A gigabit plan | 0.129 | seven-minute downloads |
| A capped plan | 0.79 | over the cap |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How much speed does a household need?
About 25 Mbps per simultaneous 4K stream, 5 for HD, a few for video calls and browsing. Three people streaming and working comfortably fit in 100 Mbps; a gigabit plan is for large downloads and many devices.
Why do downloads take longer than the maths?
Because the server, the Wi-Fi and the overheads all limit speed below the plan. Expect 70 to 90% of the headline rate on a wired connection and less on Wi-Fi.
Does upload speed matter?
For video calls, cloud backups and anyone working from home, yes — and it is usually a fifth of the download or less. Check it before choosing a plan.
What is a data cap?
A monthly allowance after which speed is throttled or overage charged. Most fixed-line plans are now unlimited; mobile and satellite plans are not.
Is a faster plan better value?
Per megabit, almost always — a gigabit plan costs far less per Mbps than a 50 Mbps plan. Whether you can use the megabits is the real question.
Where these figures come from
- International Energy Agency — Energy Efficiency — appliance consumption and standby power context
- Australian Energy Regulator — the Australian energy market regulator
Last checked: September 2026. Appliance power figures are typical ratings; check the label on your own equipment, which is authoritative for it.