If you’ve ever run an internet speed test on your computer, you’ll usually get a download speed and upload speed. Have you wondered what the difference is or why the download is often faster than the upload speed?
Sending And Receiving Data
Your internet speed measures how much data your internet connection transfers in megabits per second (Mbps). This data goes in two directions—to you and from you. The amount of data you’re able to receive per second is your download speed; the amount of data you’re able to send per second is your upload speed.
Download Speeds
When you sign up for a plan with an internet service provider (ISP), the speed rating advertised for the package is generally based on download speeds. This is the rate your ISP is able to deliver data through your internet connection. You use this data to browse the web, stream movies and music, scroll through social media, shop online, and many other of the most common internet activities. For this reason, it’s important to consider what your internet connection will be used for and how many devices and users are in your household when choosing a speed plan.
Ordering a 25 Mbps speed plan doesn’t mean you’ll constantly have this amount of download speed available every time you log on. Every device that’s part of your home network will share this data rate. For instance, if you use a Wi-Fi signal in your home, your router will take up some of the speed. Each device hardwired or connected to your router wirelessly will take up a share of the speed as well. Additionally, each activity performed from those devices require a certain amount of speed to operate optimally. Some routers even have advanced settings that allow you to designate an amount of data to be reserved and readily available for certain devices, meaning other devices would share the remaining amount of data left over when in use.
Upload Speeds
Sending emails with large attachments, live video gaming, backing up data to cloud storage and video conferencing are activities that use upload speeds to send data. Some of these, like gaming and conferencing, use download speeds as well. Because the majority of internet activities rely more on download speeds, they are generally faster. Also, because uploaded information is usually being sent to a specific server and not “the internet” in general, less speed is required.
An exception to this rule, however, is fiber internet. Fiber connections often offer upload speeds equal to download speeds. Symmetrical speeds create a more reliable connection, are ideal for working from home, and provide the best streaming and gaming experience.
GVEC Internet Fiber: Extreme-Speed Internet
Offering speeds up to 1 Gbps, Fiber is now available in areas of Cibolo, Cuero, Geronimo, Gonzales, Hickory Forest, La Vernia, Marion, McQueeney, New Berlin, New Braunfels, Stockdale, Seguin, Shiner and York Creek. Call us at 800-699-4832, or visit our Internet Availability Map to see what GVEC Internet Internet services are available in your area.
