Bandwidth And Speed

It was common in the 1990s to refer to the Internet as the information superhighway. And while the expression may seem a bit archaic now, portions of it are still applicable, especially when defining the distinction between bandwidth and speed.

In the era of high-speed internet, the term “highway” still applies; nevertheless, there is more traffic than ever before, and it may go much faster than previously.

Consider bandwidth to be the freeway. Similar to how more lanes can transport a bigger volume of traffic, greater bandwidth can transfer data at a faster rate.

The majority of internet service packages are measured in megabits per second (Mbps). A plan with a maximum bandwidth of 50 Mbps can transmit data at double the rate of a service with a maximum bandwidth of 25 Mbps and has five times the capacity of a plan with a maximum bandwidth of 10 Mbps. Using the example of a highway, 10 megabits per second is a two-lane road, but 50 megabits per second is a multi-lane motorway.

Now let’s examine the speed aspect of the situation.

Bandwidth is the carrying capacity, while speed is the data transfer rate. Similar to how there are speed limitations on roads, there are limits to how quickly data can flow.

It is true that larger bandwidth corresponds with quicker speeds since you can receive more data at a faster pace, but there is another aspect at play when it comes to real speeds.

Each device linked to your network, be it a computer, smartphone, television, or game console, requires bandwidth, or a highway lane. When linked, your gadgets compete for a portion of the available bandwidth, just like automobile traffic.

Imagine a motorway during rush hour: traffic will move more slowly than if fewer vehicles were there. Bandwidth availability has a direct impact on the rate of speed you experience.

Alternatively, we explain the distinction between bandwidth and speed with a simple demonstration involving water, containers, and a funnel. Observe the video here.

What other factors effect speed?

Also contributing to speed are the connecting method and the capabilities of the technology you employ.

Wi-Fi networks are often slower than wired networks, although both have their advantages.

When a device is connected through an Ethernet cable, a one-to-one connection is established. A direct line enables the transmission of data much more quickly than a Wi-Fi signal conveyed by radio waves.

Technology can also play a role in speed. An older router and an out-of-date computer typically connect more slowly than modern technology.

It is essential to realize that speed tests provide only a rough approximation. Tests cannot always guarantee constant speeds. Numerous real-world elements, such as the number of connected devices, computer or equipment performance, and server load, impact the test. Using a shared connection or testing during times of heavy network traffic may likely result in a decrease in performance.

Download speed is the rate at which your computer retrieves data from the internet. Upload speed is the rate at which your computer sends data to the internet.

The majority of high-speed Internet plans are designed to provide faster download speeds than upload speeds, as the majority of customers download more data than they upload.

Downloading occurs when you read webpages, open email attachments, or retrieve multimedia files. When you submit content to a video-sharing website like YouTube or back up your files to the cloud, you are uploading.

Find IT Services in Phoenix, AZ

Wired IT Group is a full-service information technology (IT) vendor, based in Phoenix, AZ. Our team is capable of designing, installing and maintaining all of your IT solutions from server maintenance, network systems to security systems, and low voltage cabling we have you covered. Call us today at 480.210.8799 for more information about our server maintenance services.

More Articles About Security

• What is Server Security?
• Different Types Of Network Security
• What is Network Security?
• What are Unified Communications?
• Security Camera Installation Cost
• What is Network Management?
• How Do I Install A Security Camera In My Phoenix Arizona Home?
• What is the Going Rate for IT Services?
• What is Server Maintenance?
• What Does Managed IT Services Mean?
• What are IT Services?