3 minute read
When you hit enter, how long does it take a page to load? The answer to that question is generally more a matter of latency (or “lag time”) more so than a matter of bandwidth (measured in Megabits and Gigabits). It’s a myth that “more megabits” means “more speed” and here is why.
Broadband providers often advertise high download speeds and either hide or don’t disclose their upload speeds. Low upload speed means sharing even a moderate amount of information with your connection will cause even more lag across your entire network; that’s because many of these networks are designed for consumption, and not business.
Latency is the round-trip time it takes for a request to the Internet to reach your computer. If your connection has a low upload, your connection will experience high-latency, which means each click has you and your customers/clients waiting. It also means voice and video calls have more delay and added frustration. If it has low-latency, then you’ll have a “snappier” experience and your customers/clients will like you.
Most popular streaming services generally uses about 4 Megabits per second for HD Video. For most use cases, a 25, 50, 200, or a 1000 Megabit per second connection is way more than what’s required to browse the web. It’s a myth that “more megabits” means “more speed”. While these speeds look great as a sales pitch, on a brochure, or on a speed test, it doesn’t necessarily help with browsing the web or accessing online services faster.
We believe at Quad State Internet believe in getting you what you need. Why? Because the megabit myth has been shoved into our faces for decades. It’s time to call out the myth and get practical.