Speed Test — About Speed

Here's some information to help you understand your results.

There are a lot of things that factor into your speed test results. Download and upload speeds, backbones, networks, latency, ping times, and DNS servers.

Download
Download is a measure of how fast your connection delivers content to your computer or local area network.

Upload
Upload is the measure of how fast content is delivered from your computer or local area network to others on the Internet.

For businesses or power-users, download and upload speed should match or at least be very close. This is important for applications like VoIP, on-line gaming and other interactive programs. Upload speed is even more important if you are operating a server at your location. If achieving optimal upload speed is a concern, consider Ethernet, T1 or DSL services.

Kbps
Kbps transfer rate = kilobit per second transfer rate. There are 8 bits in a byte, so we would divide kbps by 8 to get KB/sec transfer rate.

Transfer Rate
Transfer rate is speed at which data can be transmitted between devices. This is sometimes referred to as throughput. As files to download become increasingly larger, the highest data transfer rate is most desirable.

Latency
In a network, latency, a synonym for delay, is an expression of how much time it takes for a packet of data to get from one designated point to another. In some usages, latency is measured by sending a packet that is returned to the sender and the round-trip time is considered the latency. Low latency is extremely important for businesses and power-users.

Put MegaPath to the Test!

With MegaPath, you get robust broadband and phone services created and supported by uncompromising technical experts.

Give us a call at 866-300-1725 and we'll customize a solution that fits your needs.