Internet Connection Speed vs Download Speed 2

[imbac]

I'm using a dialup connection. After tweaking and using modem booster I can consistantly recieve downloads at about 5k/sec (an increase from about 3.5k/sec). I generally connect to the internet around 48k/sec. Why is the download speed different than the connection speed?

Brett

 

[linney]

I believe your connection speed is only a measurement of the connection between your modem and the your computer's CPU. It is not a measurement of how fast you are going to download or surf. Other factors such as internet activity, condition of phone lines and other programs running on your machine, can lead to differences between download speed and connection speed in dialup modem setup.

 

[cdogg]

It's just a matter of expression:

The connection speed you're seeing is in kilobits per second. The download speed you are talking about is in kilobytes per second. Kilobits are usually written with a lowercase 'b', hence Kb/s, while kilobytes has an uppercase 'b' - KB/s.

Since there are 8 bits in 1 byte, your 48Kb/s connection should max out at 6KB/s.

Also, a 56K modem doesn't stay connected at the same speed for the entire session. The modem makes random calls to the ISP to keep the connection alive. At any given moment, your speed can fluctuate up and down but usually stays above 32Kb/s. This might explain why you're averaging only 5KB/s.


~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[imbac]

Thanks cdogg...That makes perfect sense.

Brett