How to Calculate My Network Bandwidth

“Hello…? I am sorry, could you say that again?” We’ve all had the experience – having trouble hearing each other over a phone call. Nothing is worse than asking your important client who you are able to close a huge deal with to repeat himself/herself again after you have asked twice.

So how can you avoid that embarrassing moment? While call quality is affected by multiple factors, bandwidth is one of the most important elements to look at. In order to have excellent call quality, you must have adequate network bandwidth. Let’s learn how to calculate the network bandwidth you will need to ensure an interruption-free communication experience!

How to Calculate Network Bandwidth

Here’s a simple equation to estimate how much bandwidth is sufficient for your VoIP. Be aware of the trade-off between the sound quality and the bandwidth you need.

Required Minimum Bandwidth = The Number of Concurrent Calls X 100 Kbps (kilobits per second)

Ex: If you need 5 concurrent calls, you will need at least 5 x 100 Kbps bandwidth to support your calls. Remember to add some buffer to it in case you experience some unexpected busy times.

For those of you who want to have a more precise calculation, you can ask your potential VoIP service provider how large their voice packets are, then multiply that number by how many simultaneous calls you will be making to see how much bandwidth your VoIP calls will use.

(More Precise) Required Bandwidth = The Number of Concurrent Calls X The Size of your Voice Packets (Kbps, kilobits per second)

It’s just that simple. If you still have questions feel free to download our VoIP service guide or just call our VoIP experts at 1-800-398-8647. We will be thrilled to answer your questions for you!