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Every household has an Internet connection. And much thought goes into deciding which Internet service provider and package to choose that would best fit the needs. Although everyone pays attention to the speed that a certain package offers, many people remain confused between the upload vs. download speed. So, here is your detailed guide regarding everything Internet.
Table of Contents
How does Internet Speed Work?
Internet speed gets measured based on how much data can the Internet connection transfer per second, more commonly known as Mbps or megabits of data per second. So, when you select a package with a certain speed in Mbps, it tells that at what rate is your Internet service provider transferring data to and from your home.
Having said so, the data does not travel in one direction. And here is where the concept of download and upload speeds come into play.
Upload vs. Download Speed
Download Speed
In case you were not familiar, download speed refers to how many megabits of data get consumed when you are downloading or transferring content from the server to your device. The content could include anything. For example, images, audio, video, and text. Some of the activities that you can classify as downloading include listening to music, streaming videos, and downloading files. At times DSL Internet speed is not enough to download content. Because downloading content needs more speed than uploading.
Upload Speed
Upload speed refers to how much megabits per second do you need to send the content from your computer to another device or another server. Although downloading data is more common than uploading it, some activities require uploading. For example, sending emails, video calling, and playing online games.
Good Download Speed
Many people ask is 100 Mbps Internet speed enough? However, they do not realize that a speed that is good for one household might not be for another. Also, no one ever inquires if someone is referring to the download or upload speed. Because almost all of you are familiar with just one type. So, as far as the download speed is concerned, 25 Mbps is good. This means that you can even opt for the Internet Starter package.
However, a ‘good’ speed for you would be the one that offers equally fast speed on all your devices.
Good Upload Speed
Similar to download speed, it is essential to have access to good upload speed as well. Ideally, 3 Mbps of upload speed is good enough. However, it again depends on how much your uploading needs are.
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Internet Bandwidth
Now that you are familiar with what upload and download speeds are, another concept very common regarding the Internet is bandwidth. And many of you won’t know what exactly it is. So, you can think of bandwidth as a highway. More the lanes on a highway, less the rush. Similar is the case with bandwidth. The more the bandwidth, the easier it is for you to download content at a fast speed.
So, whenever you consider any Internet connection, you should have a look at both the upload and download speeds. And the Mbps that you are a good indicator of the bandwidth that you will get access to.
Who Offers the Best Upload and Download Speeds?
Knowing about upload and download speeds would be of no use unless you are familiar with the Internet service providers that provide the best as well. If you are looking for a good Internet connection and one that offers blazing fast speed as well, then you should go for Cox service. The table below summarizes the various upload and download speeds.
| Download Speed | Upload Speed |
| 30 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| 150 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 300 Mbps | 30 Mbps |
| 940 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
Why are Upload Speeds Slower than Download Speeds?
One thing that might come to everyone’s mind is that why are the upload speeds lower than download speeds? Well, you are not alone. Everyone who makes an upload vs. download speed comparison thinks the same. So, the answer to this is that many service providers focus more on download speeds as there are more activities regarding downloading.
No denying that there are activities that need uploading as well. However, the need for download speeds remains more than upload. Some of the common activities that need downloading include shopping online, viewing videos, scrolling through your social media feeds, and reading online. On the other hand, common uploading activities include backing up data on cloud services, sending emails, and uploading videos.
Internet Speed Test
Many people wonder how can they check if their Internet service providers are delivering the speed that they are promising. So, you can make use of the Internet Speed test tool. The tool will measure both your upload and download speeds. You would want to take the speed test in various parts of your house as well.
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