Have you ever asked, "How much data does video streaming use?" You're not alone, and the answer is not exact. Connection speeds for streaming and similar activities vary based on the service. Two popular streaming services recommend a download speed of at least 1.5 Mbps. One of them recommends 5 Mbps download speed for HD quality.
The good news is that Cricket offers two Unlimited plans with nationwide 5G access* to meet the recommended speeds:
- Unlimited Cricket More: Premium data that won't slow based on your usage. Video streaming is limited to max 1.5 Mbps (SD quality).
- Unlimited Cricket Core: High-speed data. Video streaming is limited to max 1.5 Mbps (SD quality).
How much data does streaming video use
If you're connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can stream using Wi-Fi and it won't affect your cellular data. However, when you move out of your connected Wi-Fi range or have Wi-Fi turned off, streaming will use your wireless plan's high-speed data allowance.
Keep in mind, the higher quality the video, the more bandwidth will be used. When streaming is not optimized, a single hour of streaming can use up to 3 GB for HD video. That's a lot of bandwidth!
Save Data on Capped Plans with Stream More
Wireless carriers like Cricket and AT&T have settings that can allow you to control the amount of data used when streaming. If you are a Cricket Wireless customer, look for the Stream More setting in My Account under Plans & Services or Account Settings. Stream More is a no-cost setting that gives you the power to optimize streaming video on your mobile device to conserve your high-speed data. With Stream More, you can save data by streaming certain higher-definition video at standard definition (SD) quality, similar to DVD (about 480p). Learn about Cricket's Stream More
How to Get the Most out of Your Data
Tips for the best picture and sound quality if you plan to stream TV shows and video through your smartphone on a regular basis:
- Look for plans with faster download speeds to reduce buffering
- Switch to Wi-Fi whenever you are in range of an available network
- Maintain Stream More
