📶 eSIM and video calls: how many GB do you really need
And how much mobile traffic does your work consume? 1:1 calls, group meetings, screen sharing? I'm thrilled to share a straightforward approach for converting call hours into GB, ready-made scenarios for 5–20 hours per week, and a visual representation of "backup internet" via a 4G/5G router or a second eSIM. And don't worry if you need any more help, there's a CTA and an extended FAQ at the end.
🎛️ Bitrate and traffic/hour
The idea is simple: each "call format × quality" combination has an approximate bitrate for downloading and uploading. To estimate, we take a symmetrical flow (in both directions) and add a small "margin" for quality fluctuations and service traffic. The result is GB per hour, which we then multiply by your hours per week and by the "average month" of 4.33 weeks.
📋 Scenarios 5–20 hours/week: quick guidelines
Below is a table showing hours/week → GB/month for popular scenarios: audio, SD 360p, HD 720p, and FullHD 1080p. The table calculates for both 1:1 and group meetings (groups are usually "heavier" in terms of traffic). The reserve coefficient is taken from the calculator above.
| Hours/week | 1:1 | Group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | 360p | 720p | Audio | 360p | 1080p | |
Values rounded to 0.1. For your exact profile, use the calculator above.
🛟 Backup: 4G/5G router or second eSIM
Even with stable home internet, it is wise to have a backup: a second eSIM with a data package, a mobile 4G/5G router, or a "day out" at a coworking space. Below is a simple selection chart and calculation of "how many hours your backup will cover at your quality level."
Main channel
Goal: stable connection and predictable latency during work hours.
Backup
This material is for reference only. Application settings and network quality vary, so always check your calculations during your "pilot" week and allow for a reasonable margin.
FAQ
For HD 720p, expect approximately 1–1.5 GB per hour in total (both ways). Add a 10–20% reserve to cover quality fluctuations, screen sharing, and parallel processes on the device.
Yes, the traffic is usually higher: there are multiple participants' videos, previews, and screen sharing going on at the same time. In our calculations, a group call results in a higher bitrate for each party, so the monthly estimate is significantly higher.
Look at the speed in both directions. For HD meetings, ~1.5–2 Mbit/s upstream and downstream is sufficient, for 1080p — higher. Not only peak speed is important, but also stability: avoid channel congestion and background downloads.
Take your estimated monthly volume and add ~20%. If you travel frequently or use your mobile as a backup, increase your allowance by another "busy" week.
It depends on the scenario. If you need a backup briefly and infrequently, a second eSIM with a data package is usually cheaper. If you periodically go on whole "away days" or work with multiple devices, a router with SIM and Wi-Fi is more convenient.
Use the same formulas, but add an extra margin: when roaming, services often dynamically reduce/increase quality, and background synchronisation can eat into your GB allowance without you noticing.
A VPN can add a little overhead and increase latency. If a VPN is required, add an extra margin to your monthly volume and check stability during a "pilot" week.
Actual values depend on the codec, number of participants, screen sharing frequency, and network quality. Use the calculators above with your inputs — they will give you a customised estimate.
