Why they differ.
WHAT DOWNLOAD IS
Data coming to you: pages, files, video.
WHAT UPLOAD IS
Data leaving you: sending files, video calls, backups, serving anything.
WHY THEY DIFFER
Most consumer connections provide far more download than upload.
WHY THAT MATTERS
Video calls depend on upload Cloud backups depend on upload Sending large files depends on upload Anything hosted at your premises depends on upload
WHAT PEOPLE MISDIAGNOSE
Poor call quality blamed on download speed.
WHAT TO TEST
Upload specifically, and at the times you work.
WHAT SATURATES UPLOAD
A backup running during working hours Large file transfers Several video calls at once
WHAT THAT CAUSES
Everything else slowing, because acknowledgements cannot get out.
WHAT TO DO
Schedule backups and large transfers outside working hours.
WHAT TO SPECIFY WHEN BUYING
Upload capacity, explicitly.
