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There are many models out there for calculating effictive bandwidth.<br />
I've seen per-user rates from 12k to 45k, with 22k being the most popular.<br />
<br />
Notes:<br />
These per-user rates are for large number of users.<br />
Mostly &quot;normal&quot; internet traffic (web, email, etc.) taken into consideration, anything like VOD or conferencing, VoIP, etc. can drastically affect the numbers.<br />

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There are many models out there for calculating effictive bandwidth.
I've seen per-user rates from 12k to 45k, with 22k being the most popular.

Notes:
These per-user rates are for large number of users.
Mostly "normal" internet traffic (web, email, etc.) taken into consideration, anything like VOD or conferencing, VoIP, etc. can drastically affect the numbers.


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<br />
First you need to monitor your actual bandwidth usage.<br />
<br />
You need to identify peak hour(s) at which bandwidth usage is highest (e.g. between 9AM and 10AM). Measure average bandwidth usage (not peak bandwith usage) during the peak hour(s). <br />
<br />
If average usage during peak hour exceeds a threshold of (say) 70%, you need to order more bandwidth.<br />
<br />

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First you need to monitor your actual bandwidth usage.

You need to identify peak hour(s) at which bandwidth usage is highest (e.g. between 9AM and 10AM). Measure average bandwidth usage (not peak bandwith usage) during the peak hour(s).

If average usage during peak hour exceeds a threshold of (say) 70%, you need to order more bandwidth.



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&gt;average usage during peak hour exceeds a threshold of (say) 70%<br />
<br />
I'm more looking for what threshold most enterprises are using.<br />
<br />
We have network utilization numbers ad nauseum. &nbsp;I was asking &quot;what do you use?&quot; rather than rely on &quot;the network seems slow&quot;.
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>average usage during peak hour exceeds a threshold of (say) 70%

I'm more looking for what threshold most enterprises are using.

We have network utilization numbers ad nauseum.  I was asking "what do you use?" rather than rely on "the network seems slow".

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Have you run across any formulas for determining when to buy more (ISP) bandwidth? &nbsp;We are attempting to come up with a strategic solution.
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Have you run across any formulas for determining when to buy more (ISP) bandwidth?  We are attempting to come up with a strategic solution.

Strategic Bandwidth Planning

The term broadband commonly refers to high-speed Internet access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up access. Broadband includes several high-speed transmission technologies such as digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, fiber optics, wireless (for which there is a separate topic), satellite and broadband over powerlines (BPL).

Broadband

Network analysis is the process of identifying and remediating the processes and systems within a network, including performance, connectivity and security. The process is performed through the use of tools developed for monitoring and analyzing network activity. Network problems that involve finding an optimal way of doing something are studied under the name combinatorial optimization. Examples include network flow, shortest path problem, transport problem, transshipment problem, location problem, matching problem, assignment problem, packing problem, routing problem, Critical Path Analysis and PERT (Program Evaluation & Review Technique).

Network Analysis

Network design and methodology, also known as network architecture, is the design of a communication network. It is a framework for the specification of a network's physical components and their functional organization and configuration, its operational principles and procedures, as well as data formats used in its operation. In telecommunication, the specification of a network architecture may also include a detailed description of products and services delivered via a communications network, as well as detailed rate and billing structures under which services are compensated.