It’s incredibly frustrating when all the family is peacefully busy with their different online tasks and the Internet connection starts shorting out.
Picture the scene.
The teenagers are busy with their mid‑week schoolwork, Dad has an online call to make with his brother overseas, and Mom has settled in for some candyfloss-for-the-brain streaming, when…
The Internet starts slowing down, or else grinds to a complete halt. Shouts of ‘It’s freezing again!’ become the equivalent of the four-letter word of the day (maybe even with some actual four-letter words in there – from Dad, of course, who now has to contribute money to the Swear Jar once again). Can your family relate?
So, what’s causing the problem, and how do you solve it? If your home internet has become painfully slow, it might be that your family has outgrown your original Internet package.
It’s Not Just Kids Who Need Space to Grow
Remember the days when your children were small, and they seemed to change shoe sizes every few months?
You wouldn’t dream of permanently squashing their cute little growing feet into shoes that are a size too small – so why would you want to live with an Internet package that has become ‘too small’ for your family’s needs?
Just like your children, your Data and Internet needs will also grow over time.
Signs that your family is outgrowing your original Data needs include the following: frequent buffering during peak hours; slow speeds when several people stream, play online games or make video calls at once; and sluggish performance on many devices at the same time.
If problems like this happen only when the household is busy online, you’re probably hitting capacity limits rather than a network fault. Time for an upgrade?
That Was Then, This is Now
The reality in today’s world is that as our children grow from toddlers to pre-teens, so do their digital lives – and with it the family’s Data requirements!
One day, you’re popping them in front of something cute and toddler-friendly that’s streaming via your favourite service provider.
And then, in what seems like the blink of an eye later, you’re debating with your fellow parent: How old is old enough for their first device? (Perhaps because you’re tired of turning your back to find that your Smartphone is gone again and currently being covered by small, inquisitive fingerprints.)
And from that moment on, you’re on a slippery slope downwards to the day when your original Internet package is no longer sufficient for your family’s needs.
You’ve now hit the days of an Internet Plan speed mismatch: your package is no longer offering enough speed for your household needs. It’s most likely that there are too many devices in your home, because each smartphone, smart TV and home gadget uses bandwidth. In addition, it’s possible that your original router (acquired when the children were just babies) has become outdated.
You could think of this as being another of today’s family milestones in the digital age.
Fortunately, there are solutions. You could consider upgrading if any of the following applies:
- You regularly have two or more simultaneous HD/4K streams.
- You notice buffering and slowdowns at predictable times, suggesting you’re hitting capacity.
- Multiple people in the household work or study from home, including using video calls.
- You have many smart devices, including security cameras and lights.
- You want lower latency for online gaming.
Upgrading could mean a faster Fibre plan, a higher‑capacity home package, or adding a wireless backup for reliability. Speak to Vox about options that match your household size and usage – we have multiple home Internet packages and solutions tailored to families.
Whether you need faster fibre, a more reliable home package or advice on Wi‑Fi coverage, the team can help you find the right fit. Get connected – stay connected!
And give Dad one less reason to keep putting money in the Swear Jar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if our family has outgrown our internet package?
If you get regular buffering, slowdowns or poor video‑call quality whenever several people are online, your package is likely too small. If issues happen mainly during busy household times (evenings, school hours) rather than all day, you’re probably hitting capacity limits rather than a permanent fault.
Why does the internet slow down only at certain times of the day?
Many households use the network at the same peak times, so available capacity becomes limited. Peak‑time congestion causes shared network resources to stretch; if slowdowns are predictable (for example during the evenings), consider a higher‑capacity plan.
Is buffering a sign of a network fault or that we’ve outgrown our plan?
If problems appear only when multiple people stream, game or video‑call, it’s usually that the plan is insufficient rather than a network fault. Persistent issues at any time could indicate a fault, and in that case, good advice is to contact your provider for a check; otherwise an upgrade is the likely fix.
What simple steps can I try before upgrading our plan?
Stagger heavy activities, pause large downloads, and limit background streaming on devices to free up bandwidth. You could also try moving devices away from physical Wi‑Fi blockers and disconnecting unused devices. If problems persist, a plan upgrade may be needed.
When should we consider upgrading our internet plan?
Upgrade when you regularly have two or more HD/4K streams, frequent video calls, or many smart devices running simultaneously. If multiple household members work or study from home, or you want smoother online gaming, speak to Vox about a plan suited to your household size.
What type of upgrade should we choose — faster fibre, bigger package or a backup connection?
Make your choice based on need – for example, you could choose faster fibre for speed, a higher‑capacity home package for many devices, and a wireless backup for reliability. If you’re unsure which fits best, Vox can recommend the right combination for your family’s usage.
Will upgrading my plan reduce lag in online gaming and video calls?
Yes, a higher‑speed or lower‑latency plan usually improves gaming responsiveness and call quality. Do note that other factors, for example device performance or server location can also affect lag, but a suitable Vox plan will significantly help.
How many devices can a household internet plan support?
There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all number and it depends on what each device is doing (for example streaming, browsing, smart cameras). Many low‑usage devices can coexist, but multiple simultaneous HD/4K streams or several video calls require more capacity. Contact Vox for an assessment tailored to your device mix.
