Abstract: Bandwidth is the single largest cost item in live streaming operations, with many businesses paying tens or even hundreds of thousands per month. Yet most teams don't know that a "Top Speed Codec + large resource package" combo strategy can legitimately cut bandwidth costs by over 50%. This article uses real data to break down every cost component and delivers a ready-to-use "savings formula" to ensure every dollar is well spent.
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Quick self-check:
If you answered "yes" to any of these, you're likely overpaying 40%-60% on bandwidth.
Optimal Cost = Top Speed Codec (save 50% bandwidth) + Large Resource Package (tiered discounts) + Correct Billing Mode
| Plan | 720P Bitrate | Relative Bandwidth | Quality (MOS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No transcoding | 3-4Mbps | Baseline 100% | Depends on source |
| Standard H.264 | 2-2.5Mbps | ~70% | 4.0/5.0 |
| Top Speed Codec H.264 | 1-1.5Mbps | ~40-50% | 4.3/5.0 |
| Traffic Package | Unit Price | Savings vs. Pay-as-you-go | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay-as-you-go | ¥0.26/GB | — | None |
| 1TB | ¥0.248/GB | 4.6% | Player License |
| 10TB | ¥0.235/GB | 9.6% | Live Streaming License |
| 50TB | ¥0.198/GB | 23.8% | Live Streaming License |
| 200TB | ¥0.178/GB | 31.5% | Live Streaming License |
| 1PB | ¥0.165/GB | 36.5% | Live Streaming License |
| Mode | Use Case | Tencent Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic daily | Fluctuating traffic | Supported |
| Bandwidth peak daily | Stable traffic | Supported |
| DAU-based | Flash sale switching | Exclusive |
| Prepaid packages | Predictable usage | Supported |
| Monthly settlement | Enterprise clients | Supported |
| Plan | Monthly Bandwidth | Monthly Transcoding | Monthly Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard transcoding + pay-as-you-go | ¥10,920 | ¥900 | ¥11,820 |
| Top Speed Codec + 50TB package | ¥4,944 | ¥1,800 | ¥6,744 |
| Savings | — | — | ¥5,076/mo, ¥60,912/year |
| Package | Contents | Price | Original | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Combo | 1TB traffic + 100h Top Speed Codec | ¥190 | ¥547 | 65% |
| Professional Combo | 10TB traffic + 1,000h transcoding | ¥1,540 | ¥4,149 | 63% |
| Client Type | Original Monthly | Optimized Monthly | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-size e-commerce | ¥12,000 | ¥6,500 | ¥66,000 |
| Education platform | ¥5,200 | ¥2,400 | ¥33,600 |
| Game streaming | ¥30,000 | ¥15,000 | ¥180,000 |
| Step | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Free 20GB traffic — compare bandwidth before/after | ¥0 |
| Step 2 | Starter Combo (1TB + 100h Top Speed Codec) | ¥190 |
| Step 3 | Choose matching traffic + transcoding packages | As needed |
The key to saving isn't "using less" but "using the right plan." Switch to Top Speed Codec + resource packages one day sooner, start saving one day sooner. Current combo promotional prices may be adjusted at any time.
Calculate Your Savings → CSS Pricing Calculator
| Plan | Target Users | Traffic Quota | Original Price | Special Price | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trial | Small/mid-size platforms getting started | 100GB | $2.33 | Up to 40% off | |
| Basic | Small/mid-size platforms getting started | 10TB | $210.45 | Up to 40% off | |
| Professional | Mid-size live streaming platforms | 200TB | $3,179.11 | Up to 40% off | |
| Enterprise | Large-scale platforms / World Cup events | 1PB | $14,776.12 | Up to 40% off |
💡 Larger packages offer lower unit prices and better value. Visit the Tencent Cloud CSS Promotions Page to choose the plan that fits your needs.
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