You signed up for high-speed internet, picked a 100 Mbps plan, sat down with your favourite show, and then, bang, the dreaded buffering wheel appeared. It feels personal, but it is not. Streaming hiccups can occur even on fast plans because advertised megabits are only one aspect of the puzzle. In plain terms, the number on your bill tells you the maximum throughput your line can handle under ideal conditions. Real life has other players: the router in your living room, the number of people using the network, the streaming service’s own servers and how the internet routes traffic at that moment. This guide helps you understand why videos buffer on otherwise fast connections and what you can do about it so you can get back to uninterrupted streaming. I will keep it simple and practical so you can troubleshoot like a pro and decide when to call your provider or tweak your home setup.
The Myth of “Plan Speeds” vs Real Speeds
Your plan speed, say 100 Mbps, is a ceiling, not a constant. Providers advertise the top speed you can reach, but you rarely enjoy that exact number all the time. Bottlenecks between your device and the content server can cut effective speed. Factors such as last-mile infrastructure, the router’s capability, and background apps on your devices all shape the speed you actually experience. Excitel’s plans list speeds up to hundreds of megabits and emphasise performance, but they also note that real-world results depend on local factors and setup.
Common Reasons Why Videos Buffer Despite High Mbps
Buffering boils down to data not arriving at a steady enough rate for the player to keep up. Typical causes include:
- Multiple devices are consuming bandwidth simultaneously.
- Wi-Fi signal dropouts between your router and device.
- Streaming service throttles or server-side congestion.
- Device issues, such as outdated Wi-Fi chips, full storage, or heavy background apps.
- Network-level problems, such as routing delays or peak-hour traffic.
Most of these are fixable with simple checks and small upgrades.
Wi-Fi limitations
Wi-Fi is convenient but lossy. Walls, distance, and older routers reduce the speed your device sees. Even with a 100 Mbps connection at the modem, your phone on the far side of the flat might only get a fraction of that.
Peak Hour Congestion
Internet use spikes in the evening when everyone is streaming, gaming, or video calling. Local network congestion can slow down throughput and increase buffering, even if your plan allows for high speeds. Industry guides note that congestion and oversubscription are common causes of variable performance.
Shared connections
If you live with roommates or stream on several devices at once, each stream takes a slice of your capacity. While 100 Mbps can support multiple streams in theory, concurrent 4K streams or heavy downloads will likely strain the connection.
OTT server issues
Sometimes the problem is not your network. Over-the-top (OTT) platforms serve millions of viewers. If their regional servers are busy or poorly peered, your stream can buffer even when your connection is fine. Excitel highlights partnerships and peering arrangements that help route big video platforms efficiently, which can reduce these issues.
Device bottlenecks
Old phones, tablets or smart TVs may not handle high-bitrate streams well. Apps left open in the background, outdated firmware or full storage can force buffering. A quick restart and app update often helps.
The Role of Latency, Ping, and Jitter
Lower latency just means your device and the server chat more quickly. Think of latency as the time one little message takes to travel there and back. Ping is the number that tells you the time, while jitter is when the time keeps changing. For normal web browsing a small delay is usually not a problem, but you’ll notice it more in live calls and gaming. For live video, video calls, and interactive streaming, high latency and jitter appear as freezes, lag, or poor quality. Stable, low latency is more important for smooth streaming than raw Mbps in many real-world cases.
How to Test Your Real Streaming Speed
Do a simple checklist:
- Run a speed test near your router on a wired device to measure your baseline speeds.
- Repeat on Wi-Fi at different distances.
- Close other apps and devices and test again during peak times.
- Use the streaming service’s built-in stats (many apps show bitrate and buffer health).
If wired speeds match your plan but Wi-Fi is poor, the issue is local. If wired speeds are low, log the times and get your provider to investigate.
Excitel Advantage Reliable Streaming Beyond Just “Mbps”
Excitel advertises plans ranging from 100 Mbps to higher tiers with an emphasis on fibre and local peering to major content networks. That infrastructure aims to provide you with consistent real speeds and lower latency, so your streaming experience improves beyond just the headline number. Their fibre offerings and local peering can make a real difference in terms of playback stability and fewer buffering incidents. If you continue to experience problems after testing, ask your provider about a fibre upgrade or an engineer check.
Conclusion
Buffering on a 100 Mbps plan can be frustrating, but it is usually solvable. Start with simple tests, wired vs. wireless, restarting devices, checking for competing users, and testing at different times. Understand that broadband speed is one piece of a system that includes latency, routing, device health and the streaming service itself. Make streaming smoother by sorting out your Wi-Fi first. If fibre is available, switching can make a big difference, and pick a provider known for good peering and steady uptime. A few quick checks and small upgrades will have you spending less time waiting and more time watching.
FAQs
Why does my video buffer even if I have a 100 Mbps internet plan?
Even with a 100 Mbps plan, buffering happens because real-world speed differs from advertised rates. Wi-Fi range, device limits, other users, busy streaming servers and network latency all reduce throughput. Run a wired speed test, close background apps and check your router to isolate to find out why video buffers on fast internet.
Is 100 Mbps internet enough for 4K streaming and multiple devices?
Yes and no. A single 4K stream needs roughly 25–35 Mbps, so high speed internet at 100 Mbps can handle one or two streams. But simultaneous 4K, gaming, uploads and smart devices share bandwidth. Consider wired connections, QoS settings, or faster plans if your household streams heavily during peak evenings.
How can I stop buffering issues at home with high-speed broadband?
Start with a wired speed test to confirm your plan. Move the router, update firmware, and use a modern dual-band router. Limit background backups, prioritise streaming devices with Quality of Service, and try Ethernet for screens. If problems persist, contact Excitel internet support to check line quality and local congestion.
