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Because it took three seconds and the webpage contains 3MB of data, you would say the download speed was 8Mbps. At this point, the download stopwatch stops. Suppose exactly 3 seconds later, all of the data from ’s page has been sent to your computer’s browser. When that server begins sending the 3MB of data that comprises the page, the download “stopwatch” begins. When you type “” in your web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox), a message gets sent from your browser to the web server where the content of is stored. You can think of a web server like a computer that’s ready to send out information to other computers that request it. The page is stored on a web server that either belongs to or is rented by the company or person that owns the domain. That means the page contains 3MB, or 3,000 bytes of data. Suppose there’s a webpage,, that’s 3 megabytes (MB) in size. It’s often measured using the following terms:
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When considering download vs upload speed, the term “download speed” refers to the speed at which data goes from the internet to your computer. When do you need fast download and upload speeds?.Why are upload speeds slower than download speeds?.Sometimes, it’s important to have fast speeds for both uploading and downloading, and while this isn’t always the case, it’s a good idea to understand when and why you need quick speeds in both directions, especially as you’re shopping for an ISP. This enables them to save money because they can cut the cost of providing data while also meeting customer needs, which often don’t include fast upload speeds.īandwidth and internet speed are directly connected, with your speeds depending on the amount of bandwidth your ISP makes available. Internet download and upload speeds are often different because your internet service provider (ISP) throttles upload speeds.
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