In this guide
  1. Recommended speeds
  2. Test speed where you watch
  3. Wi-Fi or cable?
  4. Other things that affect smoothness
  5. Mobile data
  6. Still buffering?

The most common reason a stream stutters isn’t the service: it’s the connection between your router and your TV. Here’s how much speed Moa TV needs, and how to make sure your TV actually gets it.

QualitySteady speed per streamData used per hour (approx.)
HD (720p)10 Mbps1 to 1.5 GB
Full HD (1080p)20 Mbps2 to 3 GB
4K (2160p)35 Mbps or more6 to 8 GB

These are the speeds the device needs to receive steadily, not your broadband package’s headline figure. If two people watch at the same time, or someone is gaming or downloading, add their usage too.

Test speed where you watch

A speed test on your phone next to the router tells you little about the TV in the next room. Test on the device you watch on:

  1. Install a speed test app on the TV or streaming device, or open a speed test website in its browser.
  2. Run the test at the time you usually watch, for example on a weekday evening.
  3. Run it two or three times. If the results swing a lot, your Wi-Fi is the weak point.

Wi-Fi or cable?

A cable (Ethernet) is the most reliable connection for live TV. If you can run one, do it, especially for live sport. If you can’t:

  • Use the 5 GHz band, which is faster than 2.4 GHz over short distances.
  • Move the router to a central, raised, open spot, away from metal and thick walls.
  • Add a mesh system or a Wi-Fi access point if the TV is far from the router.
  • Try powerline adapters to bring a wired connection through your home’s electrical wiring.
  • Use an Ethernet adapter on a Fire TV Stick; Amazon sells one that plugs into the power port.

Other things that affect smoothness

  • Latency and jitter. A connection with fast speed but unstable latency can still stutter. Wired connections help here too.
  • Busy evenings. Some internet providers slow down at peak times. If streams only struggle in the evening, test then.
  • Old devices. An older streaming stick may struggle with 4K even on a fast connection. See the best devices for TiviMate.

Mobile data

Watching on a phone over mobile data works, but it uses a lot of data: roughly 1 to 3 GB an hour in HD. Use Wi-Fi when you can, and lower the quality in your player if you’re on a limited plan.

Still buffering?

If your speed is fine but streams still pause, work through our buffering fixes or read how anti-freeze streaming works. For 4K specifically, see 4K and FHD streaming.