When you think of “bandwidth hogs,” you probably imagine streaming, gaming, or video calls. But many less obvious devices and apps are using your internet behind the scenes. These silent users can pile up — especially in busy households — and cause slowdowns just when you need speed the most.
Unfortunately, these “background” users can strain your network, particularly if you’re on a lower-tiered internet plan or don’t have full WiFi coverage throughout your home. You might notice lag when streaming your favorite shows or using devices in rooms with weaker signal.
DFN wants to help you understand which devices could be quietly hogging your bandwidth — and how Total Home WiFi with the HomePass by Plume® App can help you stay in control of your network
Cloud Storage
Many mobile devices automatically back up photos, videos, and files to the cloud as soon as they connect to WiFi. These background syncs can happen at any time — even during peak usage hours.
For small files, the bandwidth pull is minimal. But syncing large photo libraries or video files can slow down your network, especially if multiple devices are doing it at once.
Smart Home Tech
It’s easy to forget about smart devices like plugs, thermostats, speakers, and even appliances — but they’re always connected and using small amounts of bandwidth.
Individually, they use very little (around 0.5–2 Mbps each). But as you add more devices, the impact multiplies. Smart speakers and voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home are always listening for commands and use more data when streaming music or controlling other devices.
As these systems become more advanced and integrate with cameras and appliances, their bandwidth needs will only grow.
Security Tech
Security cameras, smart doorbells, and motion sensors require constant connectivity. They stream video, send alerts, and must be accessible without delay.
For example, one Ring camera can use 2 Mbps for 1080p video and up to 3.5 Mbps for 2K. Add two or three more cameras, and your bandwidth usage increases quickly — especially if the video quality is set to high.
Both reliability and speed are key here. Any interruption can mean missing important footage or alerts.
Adding It All Up
Each device might only use a little bandwidth on its own, but together, their usage adds up fast — especially when combined with streaming, gaming, or working from home.
It’s not unusual for a household to hit 50 Mbps or more during peak usage. Multiply that by multiple family members and devices, and it’s easy to see how your network can slow down.
While light internet users might be fine with 100–200 Mbps, most modern homes benefit from gigabit fiber to keep things running smoothly.
Stay in Control with Total Home WiFi
DFN’s Total Home WiFi service gives you more visibility and control over your network, powered by the HomePass by Plume® App.
Here’s what it offers:
- Adaptive WiFi™ – Sends stronger signals to rooms with high usage and offers temporary speed boosts for large downloads.
- Parental Controls – Set rules for individual devices, restrict content, and pause WiFi access by time or day.
- Guest Management – Create separate guest networks and temporary passwords to manage who connects and when.
- Online Protection – Built-in AI Security™ blocks malware, phishing attempts, and automatically quarantines compromised devices. You also get ad blocking and enhanced device privacy.
DFN Can Keep Up
With fiber internet from DFN, you get equally fast upload and download speeds — perfect for smooth video calls, fast streaming, and reliable smart device performance. And when you add Total Home WiFi, you get the tools to manage and monitor your home network like never before.
Ready to take control of your home network?
Call DFN at (541) 673-4242 for a personalized plan that fits your household’s needs.