First, let’s look at the difference between download and upload speeds.
Internet speeds are measured by how much data can be transferred per second (in other words, megabits of data per second, or Mbps).
Download speeds refer to how quickly information can move from the internet to your device. Most of what we do online can be classified as a “download” activity (think streaming TV, checking email, scrolling through social media).
Upload speeds refer to how quickly you can send information from your device to the internet (think video conferencing, online gaming, and posting a photo on Instagram).
Why upload speeds are important
If you need to communicate with your teacher or classmates over a video call, you may have heard (or spoken) these exact words: “sorry, you froze,” or “can you repeat that? You were cutting out.” Maybe you’ve needed to upload an assignment and it’s taken a bit longer than it should or it crashed and didn’t upload at all. Or you’ve tried posting a video to a classroom Facebook group and you get an error message.
When lag or freezing happens consistently when you are speaking on a video call, you can blame your upload speeds. And longer upload times when you’re posting an assignment online or video to a social media site can mean you need faster upload speeds.
Slow upload speeds can also be caused by
- the speed lost between your wireless router and your device, or
- possible network congestion issues if you’re using cable (not fiber) internet.
For tips on how to get the best speed, check out this blog post.
With Bloomer Broadband, our 100 Mbps and 500 Mbps packages come with symmetrical speeds, meaning you’ll get the same great speed whether you’re uploading or downloading data. We can deliver this because our network is 100% fiber – and fiber is the only broadband technology that can provide symmetrical speeds.
Get the Speed You Need
If you’re struggling with connectivity issues, we recommend checking your upload and download speeds on SpeedTest.net. Upload speeds below 5-10 Mbps may indicate it’s time for an upgrade.
At Bloomer Broadband, we’re happy to help you find an internet plan that suits the unique needs of your household—so you can put those days of frozen video calls and slow uploads behind you.
Contact our friendly, local customer care team at 715-568-4830 with your questions. Or stop by our office at 1120 15th Ave., Bloomer. We’d love to talk with you.
