Uploading All Day? Why You Need Fiber’s Symmetrical Speeds

By Laura Goldman

You’ve changed the way you use your home internet. These days you’re doing a lot more uploading. So when you’re gaming on multiplayer platforms, broadcasting live content, posting videos to social media, participating in video calls and sending big work files, that’s uploading.

Plus, you’re filling your home with more smart devices that send monitoring information. You have multiple users in your home who are doing the same things all at the same time. Efficiency matters. Upload speeds matter. Symmetrical matters.

Let’s find out why upgrading to fiber’s symmetrical speeds gives you the uploads and downloads you need now—and in your future. And enjoy the benefits of the internet with symmetrical upload and download speeds.

What is upload speed? What is download speed?

Upload refers to the transferring of data from your home network to the internet. It’s the opposite of download, where data is transferred from the internet to your network of devices. The faster your upload speed, the faster more data can be sent to the internet. This can help prevent annoying problems like the audio breaking up during a video meeting or a momentary frozen screen while you’re gaming.

The rate at which data is transferred to and from your network is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). While 1 Gig copper-wired cable or DSL internet may have upload rates of just 10–35 Mbps, fiber 1 Gig service will give you an upload rate as speedy as a gigabit per second (Gbps)—that’s the equivalent of 1,000 Mbps! And if you have fiber’s powerful 5 Gig speed, think about having the capability of 5 Gig uploads. Great for gamers or content creators who rely on fast uploads to ensure success.

What is symmetrical internet?

In the early days, internet service providers offered only asymmetrical copper or DSL connections, with the download speed exceeding the upload speed. While this difference may have been acceptable before the pandemic, now with more people working and learning from home and filling their home networks with more users and connected devices, a fast upload speed is increasingly important.

Symmetrical internet offers the same download and upload speeds. For example, with a 1000/1000 Mbps internet connection, you get upload as well as download speeds of 1,000 Mbps (1 Gig). If you sign up for a 5000/5000 connection (5 Gig), think about how you’ll use your blazing fast upload speed of 5 Gig.

Along with faster uploads, another big plus is that symmetrical internet can easily support multiple users who are simultaneously sharing your Wi-Fi connection. Your upload speed won’t slow down even if there’s a large number of connected devices in your network.

Symmetrical internet is available only with a fiber internet connection.

Which daily activities can symmetrical makes easier?

These days you need to count on your uploads as much as your downloads. Having the equal upload and download speeds that symmetrical internet provides can help improve many of the activities you do on your computer every day. Here are just a few examples:

• Working or learning from home – You can quickly upload work or homework, and you’ll experience fewer connection issues while participating in video meetings or live classes.
• Gaming – Upload speed is essential for smoothly playing (and winning) multiplayer online games. A faster upload speed prevents dreaded lag, the potentially game-losing delay that can occur between the time when you make an action, like clobbering an opponent, and when the game server responds to it. Another perk: If you broadcast or livestream your game, the video quality will be improved.
• Sharing videos and large files – Instead of having to wait for hours to transfer a video to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or other social media, it will only take minutes. You’ll be able to share large files such as high-resolution photos in just a couple seconds.
• Live video streaming – Platforms like YouTube and Twitch have minimum upload requirements that range around 3–50 Mbps, depending on your desired resolution quality. Symmetrical uploads and downloads will let you easily stream to your network of followers.
• VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calling – When you use the internet to make phone calls, you’re uploading and downloading audio data.
• Smart home device streaming – Smart doorbells and security cameras rely on fast upload speeds in order to stream video to your phone or computer, especially streams with high-definition video.
• Running a business from home – In addition to the benefits above, a faster upload speed can increase efficiency when you upload data to cloud-based applications or storage sites. Make your video calls and your VR meetings all smoother. It can also help improve productivity if multiple people connect remotely to your business through a VPN (virtual private network).

If you use uploads now more than you think—or more than you did—keep in mind how that need is only going to increase in the future. As we have more uses, like VR apps, you’ll want to make the smartest investment for your home network: a fiber connection.

Frontier Fiber is built for the way you live today—and tomorrow

If you’re still on the lookout for the right ultrafast internet connection for streaming, gaming, working from home and running your smart home—all with enough bandwidth for everyone—find out about Frontier Fiber. Frontier Fiber is available in select areas — check here to see when it’s available at your address. Once you have it, keep your identity and devices protected with Frontier’s security support.

Product features may have changed and are subject to change.