Holiday Deals Guide: What to Check Before Upgrading Your Internet Plan This Christmas

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for internet usage. Families stream Christmas movies, kids play online games, remote workers travel and rely on strong Wi-Fi, and homes fill with new smart devices gifted during the season. With so much happening online, it’s no surprise that many households consider upgrading their internet plan in December.

But choosing the right internet plan during holiday deal season isn’t always simple. Advertisements often focus on discounts, flashy promotions, or limited-time offers—yet what matters most is whether the plan meets your real household needs. This Christmas, before upgrading your internet service, take time to evaluate the factors that truly affect performance, reliability, and long-term value.

This comprehensive guide helps you understand what to check, what to avoid, and how to select the ideal internet plan for your holiday and year-round needs.

Why Christmas Is the Best Time to Reevaluate Your Internet Plan

Before diving into the checklist, it helps to understand why so many households rethink their internet plan in December:

• More devices connect to your Wi-Fi – Phones, laptops, smart TVs, tablets, smart home gifts, and gaming consoles.

• Holiday guests increase network load – multiple people stream, browse, and use video calls simultaneously.

• Streaming spikes – Families watch movies, sports, and holiday specials in 4K.

• Online gaming peaks – Low latency matters more during multiplayer gaming.

• Travelers rely on remote connections – Video calls, cloud storage, and remote work tools demand stable speeds.

• Major retailers run promotions, making it a popular season to switch or upgrade plans.

If your current connection struggles during this time, it’s a sign that your plan may no longer match your lifestyle.

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What to Check Before Upgrading Your Internet Plan This Christmas

Below is a detailed checklist to ensure your holiday internet upgrade is the right one for your household.

1. Evaluate Your Current Internet Speed and Performance

Before upgrading, identify how your current plan performs on a normal day—and during holiday usage.

Signs your internet plan may be outdated:

• Websites load slowly on multiple devices

• Video calls lag or freeze

• Streaming drops to lower quality or buffers frequently

• Online gaming experiences high ping or latency

• Uploading files takes longer than expected

• Smart home devices disconnect or respond slowly

Run a speed test

Use reliable tools like:

• Speedtest.net

• Fast.com

Run the test several times:

• During peak evening hours

• During weekends

• When multiple devices are active

Compare your speed with your actual needs

If your plan feels slow, it may be due to:

• Insufficient download speed

• Weak upload speed

• Wi-Fi coverage issues

• Too many connected devices

• An older router

Once you understand your baseline, you're ready to identify what speed you need moving forward.

2. Understand How Much Internet Speed Your Household Needs

Internet speed needs vary widely depending on family size, usage, and devices.

General Internet Speed Recommendations:

Household Size-Based Recommendations:

• Small household (1–2 people): 100–300 Mbps

• Medium household (3–4 people): 300–500 Mbps

• Large household (5+ people): 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps

• Heavy streaming & smart home ecosystem: 1 Gbps+

If your home expects holiday guests, always plan for extra capacity.

3. Check Your Upload Speeds—Not Just Download Speeds

While download speed receives the most attention, upload speed is equally important, especially during the holidays.

Upload speed matters for:

• Video calls with family

• Remote work

• Online gaming

• Sending large files

• Cloud backups

• Security cameras

Fiber internet typically offers much higher upload speeds than traditional copper-based connections.

If your uploads lag during holiday video calls, it may be a sign to upgrade.

4. Evaluate Your Wi-Fi Coverage and Home Layout

Even with a fast plan, your Wi-Fi may struggle due to coverage issues.

Common holiday Wi-Fi complaints:

• “Wi-Fi is weak in the guest bedroom.”

• “The living room TV buffers when everyone is watching a movie.”

• “The smart plugs stop working on the far side of the house.”

Check for coverage challenges:

• Large or multi-story homes

• Thick walls, basements, and metal appliances

• Long hallways

• The router is placed too far from high-use areas

Potential solutions before upgrading:

• Move the router to a central location

• Upgrade to a modern Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 router

• Add mesh Wi-Fi nodes

• Use wired Ethernet for key devices

If a better router solves the problem, you may not need a higher-tier internet plan.

5. Count Your Connected Devices—Including Holiday Add-Ons

Device count increases sharply at Christmas:

• Smart TVs

• Tablets

• Gaming consoles

• Smart speakers

• Security cameras

• Smart plugs, lights, and thermostats

• New phones or laptops

A typical U.S. household now has 20+ devices connected to Wi-Fi.

If your plan only supports a small number of active connections, your network may slow down during the holidays.

6. Consider Your Streaming Habits This Holiday Season

Christmas is the biggest streaming season of the year—movies, holiday specials, sports events, and family entertainment.

If your family streams in 4K, you should consider:

• 25–50 Mbps per stream

• Strong Wi-Fi signal near your TV

• Low latency for live events

If multiple family members watch content at the same time, you may need a higher plan.

7. Review the Fine Print of Holiday Internet Deals

Holiday promotions often look appealing, but always review the details carefully.

Check for:

• Contract length

• Price increases after promo period

• Equipment fees

• Data caps

• Required bundles

• Early termination fees

• Installation charges

• Discounts that apply only to autopay

• Introductory vs. regular monthly pricing

A deal is only valuable if it fits your long-term needs.

8. Compare Connection Types Available in Your Area

Your upgrade options often depend on what connection types are available near your home.

Common options:

• Fiber Internet – Fastest speeds, best for large families, best for uploads

• Cable Internet – Widely available, strong download speeds

• Fixed Wireless – Useful in rural areas

• DSL – Older technology, suitable for basic use

• 5G Home Internet – Flexible and portable

If fiber is available, it’s generally the most future-proof option.

9. Check Whether Your Router or Modem Needs Upgrading

Sometimes the problem isn’t your plan—it’s your equipment.

Upgrade your router if:

• It's more than 3–4 years old

• It doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7

• You’ve recently increased your internet speeds

• Your home has expanded or changed its layout

A better router can dramatically improve your experience without increasing monthly bills.

10. Think Long-Term—Not Just for Christmas

Your Christmas upgrade should support you throughout the year.

Ask yourself:

• Will your device usage grow next year?

• Are you adding more smart home tech?

• Are kids starting online classes?

• Are you working from home more?

• Are you planning home security upgrades?

Choosing a plan that supports future growth will prevent another upgrade soon.

Final Thoughts: Make This Christmas Wi-Fi Ready

Holiday internet usage is intense, and upgrading your plan can make the season smoother, more enjoyable, and more connected. But choosing the right plan requires more than following promotions—you need to consider real household needs, device usage, Wi-Fi strength, and long-term performance.

This guide equips you to evaluate every factor before upgrading your internet plan this Christmas. Whether you focus on speed, Wi-Fi coverage, holiday guests, streaming habits, or smart home devices, making an informed decision will ensure the entire household stays online without stress or interruptions.

Call on (855) 210-8883 to get the best deals on the internet now!

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Faq

1. Why is Christmas a good time to upgrade my internet plan?

Christmas is one of the busiest internet-usage periods of the year. More guests, more devices, holiday streaming, and online gaming can strain your Wi-Fi. Many providers also offer seasonal promotions, making it a convenient time to reevaluate your speed, equipment, and coverage needs.

2. How much internet speed do I need for holiday streaming and video calls?

For smooth holiday streaming, aim for at least 25–50 Mbps per 4K stream and 10–15 Mbps for video calls. If multiple people will be streaming or connecting at the same time, consider a 300–500 Mbps plan or higher to avoid buffering.

3. Do more devices during Christmas slow down my Wi-Fi?

Yes. Phones, tablets, TVs, gaming consoles, and smart home gifts significantly increase network demand. When too many devices use the same Wi-Fi, speeds can drop. Upgrading your plan or router may be necessary for stable performance.

4. Should I upgrade my router instead of upgrading my internet plan?

If your router is outdated (over 3–4 years old) or doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6/7, it can create bottlenecks even with a fast plan. Upgrading equipment helps improve coverage, speed, and overall performance—sometimes without increasing your monthly bill.

5. What should I check before switching to a new internet provider?

Review speed needs, promo pricing, contract terms, upload speeds, data caps, installation fees, equipment compatibility, and connection types available in your area. These factors affect long-term reliability and cost.

6. Is fiber internet better for large families during the holidays?

Yes. Fiber offers the fastest speeds, symmetrical uploads, lower latency, and stronger performance for homes with multiple users. It’s ideal for 4K streaming, gaming, holiday video calls, smart devices, and remote work.

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