What is Download and Upload speed?

Difference between Download and Upload speed.

Broadband speed is measured in Megabits per second, which is written and referred to as Mb or Mbps (as in 30Mb or 30Mbps).

See more | Acceptable download speed, upload speed, and latency?

This is the rate at which data is downloaded or uploaded to a website or online application server.

The download is when data is sent from a website to your computer/phone.

When you visit a website, the process of the website displaying on your device uses your download bandwidth. The content and images are downloaded onto your device so you can view the website in full.

Upload is when you send data or commands to a website such as clicking on a link, filling out a form, uploading a file, sending an email, etc.

Also read | Broadband speeds: what you need to know

What is a good download speed?

The guide below will give you a good idea of the activity that can be performed without lag:

• 1 Mbps+: General video streaming and viewing of  standard web pages.
• 2 Mbps+: All the above plus watching Standard definition (SD) videos online seamlessly
• 8 Mbps+: All the above plus Video streaming without any buffering.
• 15 Mbps+: All the above whilst streaming several videos
• 25 Mbps+: All the above plus Stream Ultra HD video (UHD – 4k) should smoothly.
• 40 Mbps+: All the above plus Stream Live Ultra HD video (UHD – 4k) should smoothly.

Anything over 40Mbps should be fine for all activities.

Companies with 100 employees would work fine with an internet broadband download speed of around 40Mbps.

If your connection has a good download speed but is still slow, the issue may be with your upload speed.

Whats a good upload speed?

•  0.1 Mbps: Good enough for sending plain text emails
• 0.4 Mbps: Online gaming should be work but may lag a little
• 0.8 Mbps: Webcam video streams (e.g facebook, whatsapp, skype)  with a reasonable quality
• 2 Mbps: Smooth HD Webcam streaming
• 10 Mbps:  Uploading approx 100MB of video should take approximately 2-3 minutes.

Why is my Internet broadband performance slow?

If the internet broadband speed Checker shows that you have a good download and upload speed but the performance is still poor it may be due to the volume of devices or people connected to your internet broadband and what activities they are performing.

Examples of devices to bear in mind;

• Number of  PCs, laptops, phones and tablets connected to your wifi and what activity they’re doing
• Audio streaming devices such as Amazon Alex, Google home, Sonos speakers and others
• Media streaming or devices that may be recording all your favorite flicks to binge watch later!

The average home will probably have a few of the items listed above all contending for the available upload and download speed.

Also read | Your internet connection: broadband speeds explained