Experts debunk popular myth about slow internet: neighbors are not to blame

Experts are debunking the myth that faster internet speeds automatically translate to a superior online experience, stressing that stable connections meeting specific user needs are paramount. While internet consumption in Lithuania is rapidly increasing, with mobile users consuming an average of 49.2 GB per month in the first quarter of 2026 (a nearly 20% increase year-on-year), and data-only plan users averaging 132.5 GB, the focus should be on reliability rather than maximum potential speed.

According to Rita Liuokaitytė, head of the Electronic Communications Regulation Group at the Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT), most households find a stable connection of around 100 Mbps sufficient for everyday activities like browsing, video calls, and streaming movies. Even for families with children or remote workers, this speed often suffices. Higher speeds may be beneficial for simultaneous heavy usage across multiple devices, cloud services, or video conferencing, but typically, networks operate at a fraction of their maximum capacity.

Liuokaitytė noted that popular fixed internet plans in Lithuania range from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, with the largest share falling between 100-250 Mbps, 250-500 Mbps, and 500 Mbps-1 Gbps. A common mistake, she observed, is purchasing plans with speeds far exceeding actual needs, often driven by a desire for security rather than necessity. Even streaming high-definition video content typically requires only about 50 Mbps. Consumers are advised to assess their actual usage patterns, the number of connected devices, and the intended activities before selecting an internet plan. Additionally, older hardware like computers or routers may not support extremely high speeds, rendering more expensive plans ineffective.