What is the significance of “upstream” and “downstream” speeds?
“Downstream” (or “downloading”) refers to any information/files sent through the Internet to your computer, while “upstream” (or “uploading”) refers to any information/files sent through the Internet from your computer. In a dial-up connection, typical upstream/downstream speeds can range up to 56 Kbps (kilo-bits per second). With traditional high-speed services (i.e. “DSL” or Digital Subscriber Line, Cable-modem, Satellite) the upstream and downstream speeds are reasonably fast (500 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps or more). However, the upstream speeds are not quite as fast (usually 128 Kbps to 750 Kbps), but still faster than a dial-up connection. Adequate Internet download and upload speeds have become significantly more important over the past few years, as the size of “files” transferred over the Internet are continually getting larger, therefore requiring faster transfer speeds. From rural and smaller community locations, these required transfer speeds make it almost impossible to stay properly
