Reviews.com Staff
| August 7, 2021 — 02:00 GMT (03:00 BST)
| Topic: Networking
You are in the middle of your favorite streaming program when you unexpectedly experience the much dreaded “spinning wheel.” You thought you’d chosen the fastest internet speeds. So why is this happening? There are actually two separate speeds you may not have considered: download speed and upload speed.
To help you understand the difference between the two speeds, we’ve created a primer on both types of speed, why they matter, and what you can do to optimize them for the best internet experience.
What’s the difference between download and upload speed?
To understand the difference between download and upload speeds, you first have to take a look at how internet speed is measured. It’s all about how fast data can transfer to or from your computer, which measures in megabits of data that can be transferred per second (Mbps).
The download speed refers to how fast the data can be transferred from the internet to your computer, while the upload speed refers to how fast the data can transfer from your computer to the internet.
Why does download speed matter?
For most people, the bulk of their internet usage relies on fast download speeds. The download speed affects everything from loading web pages and images to listening to music, downloading files, and streaming video. Streaming activities, especially, require a fast download speed.
Without it, you might experience a lot of buffering, images that won’t download, or web pages that are slow to load.
Why does upload speed matter?
The majority of us upload data to the internet much less frequently, but some activities do require you to send data in the opposite direction.
Sending emails, uploading YouTube content, and enjoying a live video call with a friend are all examples of activities that require a good upload speed.
How to optimize for ideal download/upload speed
Related Topics:
Cloud
Internet of Things
Security
Data Centers
Reviews.com Staff
| August 7, 2021 — 02:00 GMT (03:00 BST)
| Topic: Networking