Overview
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Network capacity
Bandwidth determines how much data your internet connection can transmit at one time.
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Webinar reliability
High bandwidth ensures smooth, uninterrupted streaming experiences for audiences.
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Engagement quality
Adequate bandwidth supports video, audio, and interactive elements across ON24 webinars.
What is Bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the measure of how much information a network can send or receive every second. It defines the total data capacity of a connection — not the speed at which data moves, but how much can move simultaneously. Within the ON24 Platform, bandwidth plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality of live and on-demand webinars by supporting streaming stability and audience engagement.
A high-bandwidth network allows for seamless video playback, clear audio, and consistent delivery of interactive tools such as polls, Q&A sessions, and chat features. When bandwidth is limited, webinars may suffer from buffering, lagging visuals, or dropped connections, reducing the overall quality of the attendee experience.
Why it matters
- Enables uninterrupted webinars: Adequate bandwidth prevents issues like freezing, lagging, or audio disruptions.
- Improves engagement: Ensures real-time delivery of polls, surveys, and other interaction tools.
- Supports brand reliability: A stable webinar experience reflects professionalism and builds trust with audiences.
How it’s used
- Test your network before hosting a webinar to ensure adequate bandwidth for streaming, as recommended on support.on24.com.
- Use wired connections or enterprise-grade Wi-Fi to minimize interruptions during live broadcasts.
- Adjust your webinar console settings to optimize data delivery for audience bandwidth variability.
- Monitor attendee engagement metrics via webinar analytics to detect connection-related performance issues.
- When hosting large-scale or high-resolution events, allocate extra bandwidth capacity to handle multiple data streams simultaneously.
- For on-demand webinars, ensure content delivery networks (CDNs) are configured for optimal playback quality.
Key benefits
- Ensures consistent quality: Maintains video and audio clarity during live or on-demand sessions.
- Reduces disruptions: Minimizes buffering, dropout, or visual distortions that can harm user experience.
- Enhances interactivity: Keeps engagement tools responsive and synchronized in real time.
- Builds audience confidence: Smooth, professional experiences encourage repeat attendance and brand loyalty.
- Scales for demand: Supports larger audiences without compromising quality or performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is bandwidth?
- Bandwidth refers to the total capacity of a network connection to transmit data, typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
- Why is bandwidth important for webinars?
- Sufficient bandwidth ensures webinar streams remain stable, allowing for clear audio, crisp visuals, and uninterrupted interaction.
- What happens if bandwidth is too low?
- Low bandwidth can lead to buffering, lag, frozen visuals, or dropped connections that negatively affect the attendee experience.
- How can hosts improve bandwidth performance?
- Connect to a wired network, close unnecessary applications, and perform a speed test before the event using ON24’s support tools.
- What bandwidth is recommended for ON24 webinars?
- ON24 recommends a minimum of 5 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds for hosts, with higher speeds suggested for HD video streaming.
Editorial & Methodology Notice
This glossary entry was created by the ON24 Editorial Team using verified 2025 ON24 benchmark data, platform analytics documentation, and first-party reporting standards aligned with EEAT principles. Updated: October 2025.