High Speed Internet providers use technical jargon to explain the technology that powers their services. Understanding internet acronyms like Mbps, FTP, and URL will help you decide which provider and plan is right for you. Our comprehensive guide will help you get familiar with the language of high speed internet.
Bandwidth: The capacity of a data connection to transfer data in a certain amount of time.
Bandwidth is arguably the most important factor when deciding between different high speed internet providers. Bandwidth refers to the capacity of a data connection to transfer data in a certain amount of time and is typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps). The higher the bandwidth, the faster your internet connection will be and the more tasks you can accomplish without experiencing lag or buffering. Understanding your bandwidth needs should be your first step in finding the best high speed internet plan for your needs.
Download Speed: How fast data can be transferred from the internet to your device or computer.
Your download speed is determined by your bandwidth allowance. Higher bandwidth connections will allow for a faster download speed. A high speed connection of 25 Mbps or more, for example, will enable the downloading of a two-hour movie in less than five minutes. Different types of media files from streaming services like YouTube or Netflix may also require different amounts of downloaded data to view or listen without buffering.
Upload Speed: How fast data can be transferred from your device or computer to the internet.
Upload speed is the measure of how quickly you can upload data from your computer or device to the internet. It is expressed in megabits per second (Mbps). An upload speed of 1 Mbps, for example, allows a user to send an email with an attachment in a few seconds while uploading high resolution videos could take considerably longer. Upload speed is most important when streaming video and audio, playing online games or sending large files online.
Latency: The amount of delay experienced during an internet transmission, measured in milliseconds (ms).
Latency is the measure of amount of time it takes for a packet of data to travel from one point on the internet to another. It’s typically expressed in milliseconds (ms). A lower latency provides a better connection, resulting in less lag and fewer interruptions when streaming music and videos or playing online games. High speed Internet providers strive to maintain low ping times so they can provide improved quality of service to their customers.
Packet Loss: When some packets sent over the internet do not reach their destination, resulting in degraded performance and disrupted connections for applications like VOIP and video conferencing.
Packet loss can occur due to poor signal strength, excessive distance between computers, increased latency, and other factors. To prevent packet loss, your high speed internet provider may recommend that you install special software or hardware tools to monitor or optimize traffic on the network. The goal is to prevent packets from taking excessively long routes over the network and minimize any disruptions to your connection.