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Simplee
Newbie

Does data usage increase as distance away from modem increases?

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Does the distance away from the modem affect the amount of data usage? In other words, if my ROKU device is farther away from my modem, does it use up more data when streaming, than if it were closer to the modem?

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atc98092
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Does data usage increase as distance away from modem increases?

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Not at all. If anything, the opposite would be true, as a weaker signal might reduce your available bandwidth. But the data stream bitrate is controlled at the server end, with the provider usually using something called adaptive bitrate. It determines the maximum rate your device can accept based on the number of error packets it receives back from the device. Longer distances will usually increase the error rate, which in turn would tell the server to stream at a lower rate. 

Nothing of course is set in stone, and this would only be a generalization. But overall it should hold pretty true in real life use. 

Dan

Roku Community Streaming Expert

Help others find this answer and click "Accept as Solution."
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I am not a Roku employee, just another user.

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atc98092
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Does data usage increase as distance away from modem increases?

Jump to solution

Not at all. If anything, the opposite would be true, as a weaker signal might reduce your available bandwidth. But the data stream bitrate is controlled at the server end, with the provider usually using something called adaptive bitrate. It determines the maximum rate your device can accept based on the number of error packets it receives back from the device. Longer distances will usually increase the error rate, which in turn would tell the server to stream at a lower rate. 

Nothing of course is set in stone, and this would only be a generalization. But overall it should hold pretty true in real life use. 

Dan

Roku Community Streaming Expert

Help others find this answer and click "Accept as Solution."
If you appreciate my answer, maybe give me a Kudo.

I am not a Roku employee, just another user.
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