Here’s some important terminology to know, whether you’re a gamer, streamer, or just someone who likes to browse the web and check email from time to time.
What is download speed?
Download speed affects how quickly information makes its journey from the internet to your device. So, the speed at which we receive texts, video, download websites, see video calls, and any other information we might need from the web is affected by download speed. Download speeds are controlled by many factors, including the type of plan you have, the types of devices you’re using, and the number of devices attempting to access a network at the same time. Slow download speeds can be one of the main culprits behind that annoying video game lag or interruptions in streaming movies and television.
What is upload speed?
While much attention is given to download speed, upload speed is also important. Upload speed refers to how fast it takes information to travel from a device to the internet. Upload speed affects how quickly files can be uploaded from your computer to the internet, which is especially important if you’re working from home, for example. Upload speed can affect things like video calls since you have to send your video feed to the person or people with whom you’re speaking. In gaming, upload speed can affect how quickly the screen reflects your input to the game through your controller. So even though upload speed is generally lower than download speed, it can still impact your overall online experience.
What factors affect upload and download speeds?
There are many factors that can impact upload and download speeds. The first factor is how much bandwidth you’re actually getting. Bandwidth is the term used to describe how much information your network can receive in a second. Bandwidth is split between all devices connected to a network. So, if you're streaming a movie in the living room while someone else is watching videos in the bedroom, and your kids are immersed in an intense gaming session—overall bandwidth is going to be divided between all these devices—which could affect upload and download speeds.
There are a few terms used to describe the slowdowns that can happen when lack of bandwidth affects upload and download speed:
- Latency. This describes the delay in data transfer between your device and the server. Latency is usually measured in milliseconds, and even a few fractions of a second of latency can cause a noticeable delay, as anyone who has ever experienced latency in the middle of a video call or critical scene in a movie can attest.
- Ping. This is another term used for this slowdown, often you hear it mentioned in online gaming. It refers to the time it takes to "ping" a server (upload information) and receive a response in the form of data downloaded to a device.
- Router or gateway location. Another factor that can affect internet speed is the location of your router or gateway. If you’re connecting to a Wi-Fi network, it’s important to experiment with different locations to find an ideal spot, since upload and download speeds can be affected by things like distance, physical barriers and more.
What are "good" download and upload speeds?
That answer will be different for everyone since it really depends on your lifestyle. If you live alone and only use the internet for occasionally checking email and browsing the web, you probably don't need the same bandwidth as a family of five with multiple gaming consoles, laptops, mobile phones, streaming televisions, and smart appliances.
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