Internet Speed vs Download Speed

Nowadays, every Internet Service Provider (ISP) boasts about offering high-internet speeds. From 40 Mbps to a whopping 1 Gbps - the options are many and alluring. Users jump on the opportunity to enjoy good internet speed and get high-speed streaming so that they can do more and have an overall better experience.

However, despite being subscribed to a high speed internet plan, users often find that downloads take a lot of time. So, is there something wrong with their smartphone or computer? Did they take a broadband plan that’s slower? Or is there something else behind this?

The answer lies in understanding the difference between internet speeds and download speed. This can help users get a better understanding of what they are actually getting when signing up for a high speed internet plan.

What Is Internet Speed?

Internet speed or connection speed is the time it takes a user’s internet connection to transfer data from the World Wide Web to their device. This is usually measured in bits. The most common unit of measurement of internet speeds is megabits per second (Mbps). Other units of measurement of internet speed, depending on the ISP, include kilobits per second (Kbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps).

Internet speeds are heavily dependent on the kind of internet connection that is used. For example, broadband connections like DSL and cable offer faster speeds than dial-up connections. On the other hand, fiber optics offer faster speeds than cable and DSL.

ISPs often advertise the internet speeds they provide. Thus, users see speeds of 50 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, and higher being advertised in marketing materials. The faster the speed, the smoother the connection. As simple as that.

What Is Download Speed?

Users often download movies, games, music, and other data from the internet. This is where the download speed comes into the picture. It is a completely different concept from internet speed or connection speed.

Every 'file' has a size associated with it. For example, a movie may be 5 GB in size, an ebook may be 1 MB, or a song may be 10 MB. Users should note that the 'B' here, when it comes to download speed, stands for bytes and not bits.

What Is the Difference Between Internet Speed and Download Speed?

While the difference between the download speed, measured in bytes (B) and the internet speed, measured in bits (b), may seem like that of only the capitalisation, the difference is immense.

Internet speed refers to the overall bandwidth available for the internet connection. It is the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over the connection in a given time period. Internet speed includes both upload speed (the speed at which the user can send data from the computer to the internet) and download speed (the speed at which the user can receive data from the internet to their computer).

Download speed, on the other hand, refers specifically to the speed at which data is downloaded from the internet to the user's computer or device. It is measured in MBps and not Mbps. Download speed is just one component of the overall internet speed.

In other words, the internet speed determines the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over the connection, while the download speed refers to the actual speed at which data is being downloaded from the internet to the device.

One byte (B) is equivalent to 8 bits (b). So, 1 megabyte (MB) = 8 megabits (Mb). Thus, even if users have a good internet speed of, say about 10 Mbps, they will see a download speed that is one-eighth of that, i.e., 1.25 MB/s (Megabytes per second). Similarly, if the user has a high speed internet connection of 1 Gbps, the download speed will be 1/8th of that, i.e., 125 MB/s.

Users should also note that these are the best-case scenario speeds. Download speeds are usually slower than the advertised speeds due to a variety of factors.

Factors That Affect Internet and Download Speeds

As mentioned above, there is a difference between theoretical and actual speeds. That’s because there are many factors that affect both, the internet speeds and the download speeds. These include:

Network Congestion

If a large number of people are using the same network at the same time, it can cause congestion, and slow down the internet speeds for everyone. This is especially common with public Wi-Fi networks. That being said, even home networks can get congested, depending on how many people are using it at the same time.

Distance from the Server

The further away the user is from the server that's hosting the content they are trying to access, the slower the speeds may be. For instance, if a user is trying to connect to a game server that is located in the USA while they are in India, the speed may be slower than normal.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

The quality of the ISP's infrastructure and the type of internet connection the user has can also impact their internet speeds. For example, fibre-optic broadband connections tend to be faster than DSL or cable connections. Thus, users should choose a good internet connection that supports good internet speeds.

Bandwidth

The amount of bandwidth available to the user can affect their download as well as internet speeds. If a user is sharing their internet connection with others or has multiple devices connected to the same network, it can limit the amount of available bandwidth to them.

Hardware Limitations

The quality and age of the router or modem, as well as the strength of the wireless signal, can also affect internet speeds. For instance, old modems support 802.11g Wi-Fi, which has data rates of up to 54 Mbps. However, the latest routers support 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which can reach speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps. Thus, if the user has an old router or modem, they may experience lower internet speeds.

Type of Content

Some types of content, such as video and large files, require more bandwidth to download and may take longer to download than smaller files or text-based content. Thus, users should also take into consideration the type of content they are downloading when assessing their internet and download speeds, even if they have a good internet speed.

Computer Performance

Finally, the speed and processing power of the user's computer or device can also impact their download speeds. If the computer is running too many programs or processes in the background that require the internet to function, it can slow down internet and download speeds.

How to Check Internet and Download Speeds?

There are several ways to check internet and download speeds. The most popular method is using online speed tests. Many websites offer free speed tests, like Speedtest.net and Fast.com. These sites measure the internet speed and download speed by connecting to a nearby server and sending and receiving data. They also provide other useful information, such as latency and ping.

Method 1: Using Speedtest by Ookla

Users need to visit www.speedtest.net. They will then simply need to click on the 'Go' button at the centre of the page. The speed test will start automatically and the results will appear after a few seconds.

Method 2: Using Fast.com

Alternatively, users can visit www.fast.com. The speed test will start immediately and the results will be displayed within a few seconds.

Method 3: Googling 'Internet Speed Test'

Finally, users can simply google 'Internet Speed test'. They will be shown an internet speed test box right at the top. They need to click on the 'RUN SPEED TEST' button to start the speed test. The results will be displayed in less than a minute.

Concepts Associated With Internet Speed Tests

As mentioned earlier, online speed tests measure several metrics, such as download speed, upload speed, latency, and ping.

Ping

When performing an internet speed test, one of the key metrics that is measured is ping. Ping refers to the time it takes for a signal to travel from a user’s device to a server and back again. It is measured in milliseconds (ms). A lower ping is generally better. A high ping can indicate network congestion or other issues that may affect internet speed.

Latency

Another important metric that is measured during internet speed tests is latency. Latency is similar to ping, but it specifically refers to the delay between when a signal is sent and when it is received. It is also measured in milliseconds (ms), and lower latency is generally better. High latency can cause issues such as lag when gaming or video conferencing.

Download speed

Download speed refers to the speed at which data can be downloaded from the internet to a user’s device. It is measured in MBps (megabytes per second). Download speed is important for tasks such as streaming video, downloading large files, or browsing the web, as it affects the speed at which content is delivered.

Upload speed

Upload speed refers to the speed at which data can be sent from a user’s device to the internet. It is typically measured in MBps (megabytes per second). Upload speed is important to upload large files or to use video conferencing or online gaming, as it affects the speed at which data is sent.

Tips to Improve Internet Speed and Download Speed

If users are experiencing significantly slow internet and download speeds, there are several steps they can take to try and improve their performance.

Check the Internet Plan

The first step is to check the current internet plan. If users are on a slow plan, they may want to consider upgrading to a faster one. Users need to check with their internet service provider to see what plans are available in their area.

Check for Outages

The second step is to check for outages or network issues. If there are any outages or network issues in the area, it can affect internet and download speeds. Users should contact their internet service provider if they suspect there is an issue.

Reboot the Router

This is not a foolproof solution, but it can sometimes help to improve internet and download speeds. Rebooting the router clears any temporary issues that may be affecting performance.

Use an Ethernet Cable

If users are on Wi-Fi, they must try connecting their device to the internet using an Ethernet cable. A wired connection is typically faster and more reliable than a wireless one since it does not experience interference. Hence, users can see a noticeable improvement in their internet and download speeds.

Close Unused Programs and Tabs

Running multiple programs or tabs that use the internet can use up bandwidth and slow down the internet speed. Closing any unused programs and tabs can free up bandwidth to experience faster speeds.

Scan for Malware

Malware or viruses can slow down the internet speed. Users need to make sure they have a reputable antivirus program installed and run regular scans. Plus, they should avoid downloading suspicious or unknown files.

Check Hardware

Finally, if the router or modem is old or outdated, it may be time to upgrade. Users need to ensure the hardware is compatible with the internet plan and can handle the speeds they have subscribed to. As mentioned earlier, older routers and modems cannot support the latest internet speeds.

Wrapping Up

Internet speed and download speed are two important metrics when evaluating an internet connection. Internet speeds refer to the rate at which the user’s internet connection transfers data from the World Wide Web to their devices, while download speed refers to the rate at which data is transferred from the internet to devices. Users should get a detailed understanding of their internet speeds and download speed from their ISPs to get the most out of their internet connection.

ACT offers high speed internet plans with internet speeds up to 1 Gbps. With our fast, reliable connection, users can enjoy streaming in HD, online gaming, and more. Plus, our plans come with unlimited data and no hidden fees. Sign up today!