Live streaming is usually one of the most difficult aspects for streamers. You need great internet speed that allows you to stream the content you want to the platform of your choice without any major problems. It should also be capable of uploading your content with quality that at least won’t put you at a disadvantage or make you a less competitive streamer. So, in general, anything from 672 kbps to 61.5 Mbps can be good. Landline hardwire internet connection (i.e., in home, building etc.) is best option for live streamers. However, if you are in the field live streaming, here are the best internet connections to use.
Dedicated 3G/4G LTE hotspot
A dedicated mobile hotspot device (pocket router) accesses cellular signals and converts 3G and 4G signals to Wi-Fi and vice versa, creating a wireless network for devices within range. However, using a dedicated 3G/4G LTE hotspot is a more reliable streaming method than a phone tethering.
Phone Tethering/Wi-Fi
The easiest way to start streaming using cellular internet is to pair your phone to Mobile Hotspot mode. In this very basic setup, your phone will become the Wi-Fi source for an encoder, which in turn will stream to YouTube, Facebook Live, or another CDN.
This type of internet connection is less reliable for streaming because the cellular signal tends to degrade when many people are simultaneously connected to the same network.
Cellular Hardwire (Bond Cellular) connection
Cellular hardwire allows the power of two or more cellular signals to be combined to provide more bandwidth and stronger signals, even in more congested and remote areas (i.e., home, building etc.). Cellular connected is certainly suitable for mission-critical operations. So, if you’re covering the championship game and need to start streaming live immediately, then cable cellular is definitely for you. Also, for sports coverage where traffic is fast enough to require higher frame rates and higher data rates for ideal picture quality, network-bound cellular devices are a good solution.
Wrapping Up
In the end, the cellular internet connection option you choose for live streaming comes down to value for money. Bond cellular is the most expensive of the three, but also the most reliable. If your game or event is extremely important and there are no other options besides cellular, then be sure to choose a connected cellular connection. If the crowd won’t be using their 4G LTE as often and if the connection is strong, choose a dedicated hotspot. As for the future, 5G is likely to become ‘go to’ connection when it comes to live streaming using cellular internet, but we’ll still have to wait a few years for that to happen.