You’ve added a video doorbell, a few security cameras, and a thermostat you control from your phone, and now you’re wondering how much internet a smart home actually needs. The number that matters most usually isn’t download speed. Cameras and doorbells send video out of your home, so upload speed is the one to look at.
A smart home with six cameras and two video doorbells uses no more than about 28 Mbps of upload, based on camera makers’ own guidance. That’s under 3% of the 1,000 Mbps our Classic 1-Gig plan delivers in both directions. For most homes, the plan choice comes down to features, not upload speed.
This guide covers smart home internet speed requirements, including how much upload speed common devices use, how to add up your own home, and how Classic 1-Gig ($70/month) and Enhanced 2-Gig ($100/month) differ.
Key Takeaways
- Cameras and video doorbells send data out of your home, so upload speed matters more than download speed
- Camera makers’ own guidance puts a security camera at about 1 to 4 Mbps of upload and a video doorbell at about 1 to 2 Mbps
- Six cameras and two video doorbells add up to no more than about 28 Mbps, under 3% of what Classic 1-Gig delivers in both directions
- Enhanced 2-Gig adds SmartHome Wi-Fi tools like custom parental controls and the Connexion Wi-Fi app for $30 more a month than Classic 1-Gig
Why Upload Speed Matters More Than You Think in a Smart Home
Most internet ads lead with download speed. That number matters for streaming and browsing, but it doesn’t tell you how quickly your doorbell camera loads a live view or how fast motion alerts reach your phone.
Security cameras, video doorbells, and cloud-connected appliances send data continuously out of your home, which makes upload speed as important as download speed for smart homes. When upload capacity gets crowded, you’ll notice a doorbell camera that takes several seconds to load a live view, motion alerts that arrive late, and app commands that take longer to go through.
Upload needs grow with every camera and connected device you add. Camera makers’ own guidance puts a security camera at roughly 1 to 3 Mbps of upload, and up to about 4 Mbps at the highest video quality, with video doorbells at about 1 to 2 Mbps, so every camera you add takes its own share of your upload capacity.
This is where symmetrical fiber makes a real difference. Many cable plans are built primarily for download-heavy use, which means upload capacity is often a fraction of download capacity. Connexion’s fiber network is symmetrical, giving you the same speed for uploads and downloads. For a camera-heavy home, that symmetry gives your cameras plenty of upload capacity to work with.
Classic vs. Enhanced: Which Connexion Plan Fits My Smart Home’s Internet Speed Requirements?
Upload speed alone doesn’t decide between our Classic (1-Gig) and Enhanced (2-Gig) plans, because Classic covers the upload speed nearly every smart home needs. What sets the plans apart is what comes with them, so the choice comes down to whether you want the SmartHome tools that come with Enhanced.
| Household Profile | Typical Setup | Recommended Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Basic smart home | Smart lights, thermostat, 1 voice assistant, 1 video doorbell, 1 to 2 streaming TVs | Classic 1-Gig |
| Moderate smart home | Above plus 1 to 2 security cameras, smart appliances, 1 remote worker | Classic 1-Gig |
| Fully loaded smart home | 3+ security cameras (4K), multiple remote workers or students, heavy streaming, gaming, 20+ connected devices | Classic 1-Gig |
| Any smart home that wants more control | Custom parental controls, user profiles, device management, and upgraded security | Enhanced 2-Gig |
Most smart homes need far less upload than Classic delivers. Even six cameras and two video doorbells add up to no more than about 28 Mbps of upload, which is under 3% of the 1,000 Mbps Classic gives you in both directions.
Classic covers the upload speed nearly every smart home needs, including homes with several cameras. Enhanced is the right fit when you want more than speed. For $30 more a month, the Connexion Enhanced SmartHome WiFi plan adds SmartHome Wi-Fi with an upgraded router, custom parental controls, upgraded security, and the Connexion Wi-Fi app, which lets you see the devices on your network, set up user profiles, and prioritize bandwidth. It also delivers 2-Gig speeds in both directions, which gives a large household more room when everyone is online at once.
Wondering which plan is the better match for your household? Our local team can help you choose.
How to Self-Assess Your Smart Home’s Connected Device Bandwidth Needs
You don’t need a spreadsheet to see where your home lands. Start with the devices that send the most data out, then picture a typical evening with everyone online at once.
| Device Type | Typical Upload Demand (per device) |
|---|---|
| Security camera (standard quality) | About 1 to 3 Mbps |
| Security camera (highest quality) | Up to about 4 Mbps |
| Video doorbell | About 1 to 2 Mbps |
| Smart lights, thermostat, voice assistant | Under 1 Mbps each |
Appliances with built-in cameras count as cameras. These numbers are typical maximums from camera makers’ guidance, and real use varies by brand, resolution, and recording settings. Cameras use upload while they record events, stream live, or record continuously, and continuous cloud recording uses the most.
Add up your cameras and doorbells first, using the table above. For example, four cameras and one doorbell come to no more than about 18 Mbps, which is under 2% of Classic’s 1,000 Mbps. Then add what else is running while they record, like video calls, streaming, and gaming, since all of it shares the same upload capacity. Most homes fit well within Classic, and Enhanced is worth a look if any of these sound like yours.
- You want custom parental controls to filter content and limit screen time
- You want to see every connected device, set up user profiles, and prioritize bandwidth in an app
- You want an upgraded Wi-Fi router and upgraded security included with your plan
Curious how your devices add up? Our guide to smart home automation internet requirements shows how to match them to the right plan.
Curious what each plan includes? Browse Connexion’s residential internet packages to find your fit.
Future-Proofing: Why Symmetrical Upload Matters as Smart Homes Grow
Your home’s upload needs can change over time. Newer cameras, more cloud features, and more connected devices are all pushing smart home bandwidth needs upward, and a household with plenty of room on 1-Gig today may add cameras, a remote worker, and a gaming setup over the next couple of years.
Because Connexion’s network delivers the same speed in both directions, upload capacity grows with your household instead of becoming a limit you bump into, and you can add devices without changing your service.
For households with kids, our Enhanced 2-Gig plan includes custom parental controls that let you filter content and limit screen time.
Ready to Match Your Home to the Right Plan?
When you’re ready, sign up online and get connected to a network built right here in Fort Collins. Our local support team knows the network and is happy to help you choose the best internet plan for your needs.
FAQ
How many Mbps does a smart home need?
Cameras and video doorbells are the main upload users in a smart home. Camera makers list about 1 to 4 Mbps of upload per camera and about 1 to 2 Mbps for a doorbell, so a home with four cameras and a video doorbell uses no more than about 18 Mbps. Our Classic 1-Gig plan delivers 1,000 Mbps in both directions, which leaves roughly 980 Mbps of headroom.
What is the difference between Connexion’s Classic and Enhanced plans for a smart home?
Our Classic plan is $70/month and delivers 1-Gig symmetrical speeds (1,000 Mbps upload and download) with a Wi-Fi router included, which covers the upload speed nearly every smart home needs. Our Enhanced plan is $100/month and delivers 2-Gig symmetrical speeds with SmartHome Wi-Fi, including an upgraded router, custom parental controls, upgraded security, and the Connexion Wi-Fi app. Upload speed alone doesn’t require Enhanced, so the decision comes down to whether you want the SmartHome tools and the extra capacity.
How much upload speed does a security camera use?
Camera makers list about 1 to 3 Mbps of upload for a camera at standard quality and up to about 4 Mbps at the highest video quality. Cameras use that upload when they record an event, stream live, or record continuously, so four cameras recording at the same time use no more than about 16 Mbps.
Is Fort Collins Connexion available at my address?
Fiber is available at every single-family home within Fort Collins city limits, so if you live in one, you can check your address and sign up right now. If you’re not sure your address is inside city limits, you can confirm it with Larimer County’s address lookup.
If you live in an apartment, condo, or townhome, you can choose your plan and sign up if your building already has Connexion. If it doesn’t yet, your property manager or HOA needs to complete a Right of Entry form before installation can begin, and you can point them to the Right of Entry form. To find out whether your building is connected, email sales@fcconnexion.com, or join the service updates list to hear when your building becomes serviceable. You can find more on how to get Connexion for each type of home.
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