Audio and video conferencing, including screen sharing, using Microsoft Teams requires a reliable internet connection.
During the school closure and implementation of ISS Distance Learning, both teachers and students will be connecting to the internet from home and conducting online sessions. Internet speed, quality and reliability will vary depending on many factors, some outside of your control, and some that you can address.
Check your home internet speed. You can use one of these two websites:
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Bandwidth requirements for conferencing in Microsoft Teams (from Microsoft.com)
Microsoft Teams is designed to give the best audio, video, and content sharing experience regardless of your network conditions. That said, when bandwidth is insufficient, Teams prioritizes audio quality over video quality.
Where bandwidth isn't limited, Teams optimizes media quality, including up to 1080p video resolution, up to 30fps for video and 15fps for content, and high-fidelity audio.
This table describes how Teams uses bandwidth. Teams is always conservative on bandwidth utilization and can deliver HD video quality in under 1.2Mbps. The actual bandwidth consumption in each audio/video call or meeting will vary based on several factors, such as video layout, video resolution, and video frames per second. When more bandwidth is available, quality and usage will increase to deliver the best experience.
| Bandwidth(up/down) | Scenarios |
| 30 kbps | Peer-to-peer audio calling |
| 130 kbps | Peer-to-peer audio calling and screen sharing |
| 500 kbps | Peer-to-peer quality video calling 360p at 30fps |
| 1.2 Mbps | Peer-to-peer HD quality video calling with resolution of HD 720p at 30fps |
| 1.5 Mbps | Peer-to-peer HD quality video calling with resolution of HD 1080p at 30fps |
| 500kbps/1Mbps | Group Video calling |
| 1Mbps/2Mbps | HD Group video calling (540p videos on 1080p screen) |
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Even if you have a fast enough internet connection, your counterpart might not. Try using video, but in many instances and in the feedback we received from other schools, having multiple people use video at the same time can be challenging and quality will vary. Whenever possible, use audio only.
You should also remember that the whole state of Baden Wurttemberg is at home, with people having home office as well students . Think of it this way: German highways don't have speed limit at some sections, but when was the last time you were able to drive fast on the A8 during "stau" time?
Tips for WiFi router and speed
- Make sure the WiFi Router is placed in a good spot in your home. Do not hide it behind a cupboard, TV, or close it in furniture. Make sure it is visible.
- Stay close to the WiFi router if possible
- Minimise the number of devices connected to the WiFi. If you have an online conference on your laptop, you should disconnect your tablet and phone from the WiFi if you don't need it for the conference
- Use audio only, and video when absolutely necessary
- Do not download or stream on your home network while conferencing.
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