What is bandwidth and speed in an internet connection?

What is bandwidth?

It refers to the maximum capacity and amount of data that can be transmitted over a connection (the internet, for example) at a given time. Network bandwidth is essential for the quality and speed of the connection.

Bandwidth is measured in bits/s or its multiples, k bits or m bits per second. Always make sure you have the highest bandwidth possible, as this will allow for better and faster data transfer.

An example to understand it more easily

It's common to find confusion between bandwidth and speed in a connection. Bandwidth is the flow of information bits, and transfer speed measures how long it takes a host (server) to place the data packet it wishes to send on the transmission line. The more information sent, the more bandwidth must be increased. For companies that require connectivity in their facilities, it's advisable to validate a calculation of how many users will be accessing the network at the same time to determine the bandwidth requirements for optimal service.

What, then, is speed?

This term can be defined as the speed at which information is transmitted. When a user purchases a package from an internet service provider, they receive, for example, 10 Mbps, 30 Mbps, 100 Mbps, etc. This refers to the amount of data they can download or upload to the network. As a recommendation, it is indicated that for this speed to exist, it will be necessary to have a bandwidth equal to or greater than the speed contracted in the service package.

Upload, download, and upload speeds

Upload and Download Speed

To illustrate what upload speed is, let's just talk about social media. For example, if you want to post a photo, you must upload it to a server, and this will require at least 1 Mbps for your friends to see your profile picture.

User needs vary depending on the work being done on the Internet, and this means that the speed of information received or sent will depend on the application or tool used. To cite a few examples, if your intention is to use email or simply browse the web, then you will need between 1 and 10 Mbps to access this tool without any problems. However, watching a movie on a streaming service in HD or 4K quality will require between 3 and 25 Mbps so that the content doesn't lag, which is considered a download action.

Upload and Download Speed

Network download speed refers to the time it takes for information to travel from the servers that store a website, video, or any other type of content until we can view it. Upload speed is the time it takes for information to travel from our PC or mobile phone to the Internet.

We typically see in all operator advertisements that they offer a random amount of browsing megabytes; this numerical value corresponds only to the download speed. To find the upload speed, you need to take a test that will reveal the results and whether what they promise is true or not.