Many homes, shops, small stalls, offices, and even schools now install CCTV so they can monitor it from their phones at any time. But a common complaint is choppy video, slow loading, or sudden disconnections. The cause is often not the camera, but insufficient internet upload speed at the location.
Here's how to estimate your internet needs for CCTV, tips for saving bandwidth, and the GISNET plans that fit.
Why Upload, Not Download?
When you open your CCTV from your phone away from the location, the video is sent from the DVR/NVR where the cameras are to the internet. This means the camera location is uploading. If upload is low, the picture stutters even if download is high.
Many internet plans offer upload far lower than download. That's why, for online CCTV, upload is the number you should check first. The full explanation is in the article symmetrical internet: upload just as fast.
Estimated CCTV Upload Speed per Camera
The exact figures depend on the brand, resolution, and camera settings. As a general guide:
| Stream type | Estimated upload per camera |
|---|---|
| Main stream 1080p (H.264) | about 2–4 Mbps |
| Main stream 1080p (H.265) | about 1–2 Mbps |
| Main stream 4MP/2K | generally higher than 1080p |
| Sub-stream (phone view) | often below 1 Mbps |
You can see the actual bitrate in the DVR/NVR settings menu, usually in the Encoding or Video section.
How to Calculate the Needs for Several Cameras
- Check the bitrate of the stream used when viewing from your phone.
- Multiply it by the number of cameras viewed at the same time.
- Add a buffer of about 30–50% for other users, such as family phones or the cashier.
Example: 4 cameras at 1080p viewed on an H.264 main stream of about 3 Mbps = 12 Mbps. Adding a 50% buffer, you need about 18 Mbps of upload. If you use a sub-stream of about 1 Mbps per camera, the requirement drops to about 6 Mbps.
Keep in mind that if your CCTV records to the cloud, upload is used continuously 24 hours a day, not only when you're watching.
Tips for Saving CCTV Bandwidth
- Use the sub-stream for phone viewing. On a small phone screen, the picture is still clear enough.
- Choose H.265 compression if your cameras and DVR/NVR support it. It is generally about half the size of H.264.
- Lower the FPS or resolution for routine monitoring. Around 10–15 FPS is generally sufficient for a shop floor or yard.
- Record to a local DVR/NVR. Recordings are stored on-site, and the internet is only used when you're watching. Cloud recording needs stable upload all the time.
GISNET Plans That Suit CCTV
All GISNET plans are symmetrical: upload equals download. So the speed you pay for also applies to sending CCTV video. All plans are unlimited with no FUP, flat-priced, with equipment provided on loan.
- Home Lite 20 Mbps (Rp165,000/month): homes or small stalls with a few cameras monitored via sub-stream.
- Home Standard 30 Mbps (Rp220,000/month): homes or small shops with about 4 cameras, plus streaming.
- Home Premium 50 Mbps (Rp300,000/month): homes with more cameras or families who are often online at the same time.
- B2B 50–300 Mbps (from Rp485,000/month): shops, offices, and schools with many cameras, plus 24/7 priority support. See the details in business plans.
For offices or corporations that need 1:1 bandwidth and a 99.5% SLA, we offer Internet Dedicated. Our team can also help with CCTV, WiFi, and network installation through our Managed Services.
Ready to Monitor Your CCTV Without Choppy Video?
GISNET currently serves the Sidayu, Bungah, and Ujung Pangkah districts of Gresik. Check your area on the coverage page, then schedule a free site survey.
Contact our marketing team via WhatsApp at 0857-0629-9235 or fill in the contact form. Our NOC team is on standby 24 hours a day.
