
Asymmetrical bandwidth (e.g., 100 Mbps download speeds and 10 Mbps upload speeds) is more common, but not nearly as fast or ideal. When upload and download speeds are equal (e.g., 100 Mbps each), it’s called symmetrical bandwidth. Symmetrical Bandwidth: Why it’s Important Before you choose an ISP, keep an eye on both upload and download speeds and see if they’re both fast enough for your needs. When you add more users and devices per household, you need more speed to avoid using up all your bandwidth. Here’s a breakdown of the lowest recommended speeds for various activities: Good speeds are relative to what kinds of online activities you’re doing. If you make a lot of video calls or frequently game online, upload speeds are especially important. Many ISPs ( internet service providers) offer fast download speeds and slow upload speeds. Upload and download speeds are both measured in Mbps-but they are not always equal. Download speed refers to how quickly another server sends data to you (e.g., when you stream Netflix, listen to Spotify, or download large files). Upload speed refers to how quickly you send data from your device to another server (e.g., when you send emails, live video chat, or play live video games). Just as too many cars on the freeway result in a traffic jam, too many devices on the same internet connection lead to slower speeds. If Mbps is your vehicle that travels at a certain speed, bandwidth is your freeway.

The higher the Mbps, the faster the internet.īandwidth is another important factor, as it determines the maximum amount of data that can transfer over one network at any given time. What is Mbps, you ask? It’s a unit of measurement that stands for megabits per second, and it calculates how quickly packets of data transmit from the web to your internet-enabled device.
