Streaming Sport Matches on Your Smartphone
Robert Cerff / 20-06-2023 / Tech
Streaming Sport Matches on Your Smartphone: What You Should Know!
Are you a die-hard sports fan who can't bear to miss a single match but are getting frustrated by loadshedding? We’ve all been there—just when the game gets intense and your team is about to score, the lights go out, leaving you in the dark.
Thanks to advancements in technology, you can still catch all the sports action right on your smartphone, wherever you are and whenever you want. All you need is a smartphone with enough battery life and data, and you’ll be good to go.
Knowing how much data you’ll need to stream live matches on your smartphone can be tricky. Although estimating data usage isn’t an exact science, you’d rather have a little more than you need, just to be safe. There are many factors determining your data consumption, such as the quality of the stream, the length of the match and your data plan. Let's break it down.
Stream quality
Most streaming platforms offer different quality options, ranging from standard definition (SD) to high definition (HD) and even 4K. The higher the quality, the more data it will consume. If you're concerned about data usage, opting for a lower quality stream can help reduce your data consumption. The good news is it won’t reduce the quality of the game, so you can still enjoy the match.
SD streams typically use around 1-2GB of data per hour, while HD streams can range from 3-5GB per hour. If you're lucky enough to have a 4K-capable device and a lightning-fast internet connection, be prepared to consume around 7-10GB per hour for the highest quality stream.
Match length
Different sports have different durations so this will affect the amount of data you'll need. A shorter match means less data consumption, while a longer match will naturally require more data. For example, a typical soccer match lasts around 90 minutes, while a game of tennis can stretch on for several hours. Keep this in mind when estimating your data usage.
Know your data plan
It's essential to know the details of your data plan. If you have an unlimited data plan, you're in luck! You can stream to your heart's content without worrying about going over your data limit. However, if you have a limited data plan, it's essential to keep track of your usage to avoid any unexpected charges. You can monitor your data usage through your smartphone settings or by contacting your service provider. Vodacom, for example, has a handy data calculator on their website to work out how much data you're going to need or how much data you are currently using.
Learn to optimise your existing data
It's always a good idea to connect to a Wi-Fi network whenever possible to save your mobile data for when you really need it. Remember, the apps downloaded on our smartphone can waste a significant amount of data, often without you even noticing. If you are an Android user, you can download Datally which is a free app that can help you track, monitor and control your data usage on your device. It will give you a real-time view of your data usage, allowing you to block data-heavy apps, as well as provide you with a usage history and trends over a certain period.
So, the next time loadshedding threatens to interrupt your match, just grab your smartphone, get comfortable and ready to cheer on your team while you catch all the action right at your fingertips!
