what is a good upload and download speed

Upload speeds matter if you’re making VoIP phone calls, video calls on software like Zoom or Microsoft Teams or working with cloud-based services such as Dropbox or WeTransfer. With flexible office days and remote working seemingly here to stay, you’ve got to think about those upload speeds. Why upload speed matters when working from home According to Ofcom, there has been a 54% increase in the mean average upload speed in 2020, with the UK average upload speed as of November 2020 at 21.6Mbps.ĭownload speeds are obviously important when gaming, especially when you’re trying to get the latest patch update on Call of Duty! But if you’re streaming on Twitch, gaming in real time, or trying to upload your latest video to YouTube, a fast upload speed will make things quicker and smoother.

Just like downloads, uploads are measured in megabits per second, or Mbps. The faster your upload speed, the clearer your calls and the sooner you’re getting things done! So if you’re a gamer, streamer or homeworker, a fast upload speed matters to you. Uploading is used for anything from streaming video calls and conferences to file or photo sharing on the cloud. Your upload speed is how quickly data travels between your computer and your network. With the amount of time we all spend online, uploading is now as important as downloading.

Your upload speed will be a smaller figure than your download speed because most online activities need more download bandwidth than upload bandwidth – for example, streaming content, browsing or watching YouTube videos.Ever waited hours for a file to upload as you send it over a file sharing system? Or had to switch your camera off on a video call because your connection had some serious lag? We’ve all been there! You can check your upload speed using our broadband speed test. How can I test my broadband upload speed? However, if you and a partner work from home, frequently video call, or stream frequently, you may need a plan with higher upload speeds. Upload speeds of 3Mbps and above are considered good, and suitable for most households. However, upload speed is important when you’re making Zoom or Skype calls – lagging, frozen video, and unstable audio at your end are often the result of slow upload speeds. You upload data all the time - even when you’re just browsing a website, as your computer is sending data to other websites.īroadband providers place a lot of emphasis on download speeds, because most online activities involve downloading content – for example, streaming films or playing online games. Like download speeds, they’re measured in Mbps Upload speed is basically how fast data moves from your computer to another device or the internet.

What is a good upload and download speed