Choosing the right Shaw internet speed for your home or business can seem complicated. With options ranging from 25Mbps entry-level plans up to 750Mbps fiber connections, it’s important to understand what internet speed you need. Trying to save money on slower speeds often ends in frustration when your connection can’t keep up with streaming, gaming, video calls, and more. Getting faster speeds than necessary, however, winds up being expensive overkill.
This definitive guide on Shaw internet speeds breaks down all the vital information to help you identify what download/upload rates fit your usage, number of users, and devices. We’ll also explore the factors affecting real-world Shaw internet speeds versus advertised maximum bandwidth. Get ready to feel empowered in choosing a Shaw internet package you’ll love.
What Speeds Are Available from Shaw?
Shaw offers a range of maximum download and upload speeds across their Internet packages suitable for light, moderate, and heavy data usage. Their available internet plans include:
- Shaw Internet 25 – 25Mbps download / 2.5Mbps upload
- Shaw Internet 75 – 75Mbps download / 7.5Mbps upload
- Shaw Internet 150 – 150Mbps download / 15Mbps upload
- Shaw Internet 300 – 300Mbps download / 15Mbps upload
- Shaw Internet 600 – 600Mbps download / 15Mbps upload
- Shaw Fibre+ Gig – 750Mbps download / 100Mbps upload
Shaw uses hybrid fiber-coaxial network technology for most residential connections, with fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) provided for Fibre+ Gig plans.
How Fast Are “Real World” vs Advertised Shaw Speeds?
The download and upload speeds advertised by Shaw represent maximum bandwidth capacity, not guarantees of actual speeds. Several factors influence the real-world speeds you’ll achieve:
- Overall network usage/congestion
- WiFi limitations (router model, interference, distance, congestion)
- Computer/device capabilities
- The website/server you’re connecting to
During optimal conditions of low network usage, strong WiFi signal, and fast devices, Shaw customers can often achieve 90% or more of the advertised rates. However, at times of peak local usage (evenings, weekends) and over WiFi, you may only get 50-80% of the maximum.
Shaw provides a speed test to check your real-world connection speeds. Run this wired to your modem if possible for the most accurate results. This helps identify any slow downs happening externally to your home network.
Key Factors Influencing Ideal Shaw Internet Speeds
Download/upload requirements can vary drastically by home depending on these four main factors:
1. Number of Users
Households with more family members using the internet simultaneously need added bandwidth to prevent congestion issues. Each user adds the potential for streaming, downloading, gaming, video calls, etc that require available connection capacity.
As a general guideline for number of heavy users to speed required:
- 1-2 users – 25-75Mbps
- 3-4 users – 150Mbps
- 5+ users – 300+ Mbps
2. Number and Type of Connected Devices
The mix of laptops, phones, tablets, gaming consoles, smart home tech, and other wifi gadgets in your home also plays a key role. Connect just phones and tablets? 25Mbps should suffice. Got multiple power users with high-end PCs? Time for 600Mbps or higher.
Take inventory of all your devices to determine capacity needs:
- Basic web browsing/email devices – 1-2Mbps per device
- Smartphones/tablets – 3-5Mbps for HD streaming
- Gaming consoles – 5-15Mbps
- Desktops/laptops – 10-25Mbps+ for high usage
- Smart home devices – usually low, but can add up
3. Connection Tasks/Usage Habits
Your daily and weekly internet activities require certain optimal speeds for the best experience:
- SD video streaming – basic usage requires 5-10Mbps
- HD video streaming – requires a minimum of 10-25Mbps
- 4K streaming – recommend 25-50Mbps
- Music streaming – 1Mbps per stream
- Web conferencing – 30-50Mbps for multi-user video
- Online gaming – 10Mbps+, up to 100Mbps for fast competitive games
- Large downloads/uploads – faster speeds enable quicker transfers
Review typical usage on weeknights and weekends to gauge required capacity.
4. Budget/Value Considerations
Higher internet speeds generally come at a higher monthly price – but faster plans frequently offer better dollar-per-Mbps value. Comparing plans on this metric helps identify when upgraded speeds are worthwhile:
- Shaw 25 Plan – $0.60 per Mbps ($45/month)
- Shaw 75 Plan – $0.53 per Mbps ($65/month)
- Shaw 300 Plan – $0.35 per Mbps ($105/month)
- Shaw Fibre+ Gig – $0.25 per Mbps ($190/month)
If the budget won’t support a speed upgrade, optimize usage habits and connections to improve real-world speeds.
Recommended Shaw Internet Speeds
Bringing together these factors and Shaw internet options, you can zero in on the best plan fit.
For light usage (web browsing, email, messaging, SD streaming)
- 1-4 devices – Shaw 25 or Shaw 75
- Ideal real-world speed – 25-50Mbps
For moderate usage (HD streaming, video calling, heavier downloading)
- 3-6 devices – Shaw 75 or Shaw 150
- Ideal real-world speed – 75-125Mbps
For high usage (gaming, 4K streaming, many connected devices)
- 5+ devices – Shaw 300 or Shaw Fibre+ Gig
- Ideal real-world speed – 250-500+ Mbps
Further customize as needed based on your device count, network usage habits, and budget.
Getting the Most from Your Shaw Internet Speeds
A few simple set-up steps and usage best practices can help maximize performance from your Shaw internet speeds at home:
- Use updated AC1900+ wifi routers to enable faster WiFi data rates
- Connect devices directly to modem with ethernet when possible
- Position the router centrally to reduce WiFi dead zones
- Set devices to use 5Ghz WiFi band when available
- Limit WiFi interference from appliances and electronics
- Hardwire ethernet connections for dedicated bandwidth
- Test speeds from multiple devices to identify bottlenecks
- Limit extreme downloads/uploads during peak evening hours
- Check Shaw speed test site for network congestion issues
- Contact Shaw support if speeds are consistently below 50% expectation
Gaining more efficiency from your Shaw internet plan minimizes the need for expensive speed upgrades. Combine smart optimization with the right package matched to usage levels among your devices and users.
The Bottom Line on Choosing Your Shaw Internet Speed
Navigating Shaw’s range of internet packages ultimately comes down to aligning speed capacities to daily bandwidth needs and budgets. Avoid over or under-provisioning. Figure your household’s collective usage, device count, and activities requiring higher speeds – then balance against value and pricing factors.
Use this guide to cut through the confusion around internet speeds – and enjoy streaming, surfing, working, learning, gaming, and more without limit thanks to the ideal Shaw plan. Meet your connectivity needs at a fair price through smart speed plan decisions. Go ahead and order Shaw internet service customized exactly for your home and family.
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