When your download and upload speeds are different, they are called asymmetrical speeds. Symmetrical speeds are most commonly offered by fiber internet providers. When your download speed and upload speed are equal, they are called symmetrical speeds. Historically, this has been less important for home use, but it’s a key factor to consider if you’re working from home or regularly uploading large files like photos and videos to your social feeds. Speedtest has the worlds largest testing server network, which means you will always have the benefit of testing to a server near your geographic location. Things like sending emails, uploading media files, and live video calls are all activities that utilize upload speed. What is upload speed?Ĭonversely, upload speed is how fast data travels from your computer to the internet.
Streaming requires especially fast download speeds are especially helpful when streaming since you won’t waste time and get frustrated with buffering. Most of the most common online activities require getting data to your device - loading webpages and images, listening to music, downloading files, streaming your favorite shows, etc. Download speed is how fast data travels from the internet to your computer. Download speed means how fast internet users can retrieve data from a server or internet site to their devices (PC, mobile, tablet, etc.) online.
