When you’re shopping for internet, you’ll notice all manner of technical terms with complicated-sounding lingo. Some are easily understandable, like “download speed,” which is the metric most people look for when choosing an internet provider and plan. Beyond the eye-catching download speed numbers you’ll see on billboards and advertisements, however, is another equally significant internet feature often overlooked by customers: “symmetrical speeds.”
Now, if “symmetrical speeds” sounds too jargony to you, you’re not alone! Below, Pelican Broadband takes a closer look at what symmetrical internet speeds are—and, even more importantly, why should you care about them when choosing internet. Whether you’re streaming movies and TV, video conferencing with family or your doctor’s office, working remotely, gaming, or simply sharing large content and files, symmetrical speeds, like those offered by Pelican Broadband’s advanced fiber network, can dramatically improve your online experience!
Understanding Download vs. Upload Speeds
We’ll begin with some elementary definitions, starting with “download speed,” which at its most basic, simply refers to how fast data is transferred from the internet to your device. This includes streaming videos, browsing websites, or downloading files, and most other everyday uses. An internet provider’s maximum download speeds per plan or tier frequently appear in their marketing materials and websites, and it’s likely the measure you’re most familiar with when you shop for internet.
Another key feature is your internet’s “upload speed,” or how fast you can send data from your device back to the internet. This includes sending emails with attachments, uploading files to cloud storage, livestreaming, video conferencing, and online gaming. Together, upload and download speeds are among the most essential metrics an internet user needs to know.
Symmetrical Internet Explained
Too many people rely just on maximum download speeds and ignore other metrics when deciding on internet technology and a service provider. But it’s easy to forget that the internet is really a two-way street.
That is, data and information doesn’t just come from a far-off internet server; it also returns back to you and your devices every time you click, type, game, or even speak through an internet-connected app or program.
And the fancy term for that two-way street concept is “symmetrical internet.” Simply put, symmetrical speeds mean that your upload and download speeds are the same. So, if you have a 500 Mbps symmetrical plan, you can both download and upload at 500 Mbps. One is not faster than the other.
As you will see below, symmetrical speeds make for a better online experience. And if you’re already wondering: yes, symmetrical internet and its benefits are easily available in more and more communities across the United States through fiber internet, like the kind offered by Pelican Broadband.
A Quick Look at Old School Asymmetrical Internet
Continuing with some techy lingo for just a moment, it’s helpful to consider that, traditionally, most internet service providers, especially those using cable or DSL technologies, offer “asymmetrical internet” speeds.As the name implies, with asymmetrical internet, the download speed is significantly faster than the upload speed. They are not equal as with a symmetrical connection.
For instance, with cable’s asymmetrical internet, you might have a 200 Mbps download speed but only 10 Mbps upload. For many applications, that massive divergence between download and upload speeds makes a considerable difference between solid, reliable, pristine internet performance and sluggish and downright aggravating online experiences.
Why Symmetrical Speeds Matter
You’re now probably wondering if symmetrical internet is worth all the fuss we’ve been making. Like with many things, it depends on how you spend your time online.
While asymmetrical connections might be fine for casual browsing and streaming, symmetrical speeds become essential in a world where users are uploading as much as they’re downloading, especially in video conferences, telehealth, remote work, operating a business, content creation, or online gaming.
But if you’re stuck with asymmetrical internet—and its much slower upload speeds—you can expect frequent (and awkward) video freezes, blurry and distorted picture quality, or dropped video calls altogether. That’s more than just frustrating to your co-workers, friends and clients—it’s inefficient and even unprofessional.
Here are several examples of how symmetrical internet is heads-and-shoulders above traditional asymmetrical internet like cable or DSL:
- Remote Work and Video Conferencing: Symmetrical speeds particularly matter for remote work and video conferencing. Indeed, the rise of remote work (and hybrid workplaces) has made high upload speeds all but required. Applications for video calls like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom, require a stable and fast upload stream to ensure clear video and audio quality, low latency and lag, and smooth screen sharing and collaboration.
- Telehealth: Likewise, for telehealth consultations, having symmetrical internet’s high upload speed vastly improves the quality of any online medical appointment. Your physician can far more easily provide an expert opinion via fiber’s symmetrical internet than with older, asymmetrical speeds.
- Content Creation: Content creators and streamers, like those on TikTok or YouTube, often upload high-resolution video in real time. This requires significant upload speed and bandwidth, especially when streaming in higher resolutions. Without symmetrical internet’s ample upload speed, streams can suffer from lag, pixelation, or complete disconnection, ruining the viewer experience and potentially costing followers or revenue.
- Gaming: Online gamers also depend on faster upload speeds, which affect how quickly your actions are sent to the game server. Low upload speeds can lead to lag, delays, or disconnections, giving your opponents a major advantage.
- Smart Homes and Offices: And if you’ve been adding more smart devices to your home or office, you’ll want fiber’s symmetrical internet to keep them operating in real time without delay or interruption. With so many smart doorbells, smart thermostats, smart speakers, and other tech around the house today, having that extra upload speed and bandwidth will keep them running smoothly.
Pelican Broadband’s Fiber Delivers Symmetrical Speeds
As you can see, having equally robust download and upload speeds can greatly enhance your online experience. And thankfully, Pelican Broadband’s high-speed fiber network has the power to bring you symmetrical internet for just about any online application! And yes, our upload speeds are just as fast as our exceptional download speeds.
Whether faster uploads of your own content, or better video conference calls with friends and family and colleagues, or smoother movie and TV streaming, symmetrical internet can make a significant difference for you. If you have any questions about how Pelican Broadband’s fiber can improve your internet, please reach out to our knowledgeable staff for more information.
