Why Do Download Speeds NEVER Match Internet Speeds??

[Super Warrior]

I've wondered about this for a long time. For example i've got a 54kbs dial-up connection, so logic would dictate that if i were downloading something and NOT doing anything else on-line, it should download at about a rate of 54kbs.

Yet whenever in the past i've gone to download something, it always shows up as like 4k-5k a second instead.

Why is this? It makes no sense!

[yoda313]

Hi,

It's about the "THROUGHPUT" for data not the sheer data value of the connection speed. Read this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measuring_data_throughput

People are often concerned about measuring the maximum data throughput rate of a communications link. A typical method of performing a measurement is to transfer a 'large' file and measure the time taken to do so. The throughput is then calculated by dividing the file size by the time to get the throughput in megabits, kilobits, or bits per second.

Unfortunately, the results of such an exercise will usually be less than expected, leading to people believing that their communications link is not operating correctly. In fact, there are many overheads in transmission that mean the calculated 'effective' throughput does not reflect the true situation.

[CrayonEater]

Among many other reasons than the above is that 56k accounts for compression, and many kinds of data (esp. Jpegs and other binary files) do not compress well.

[jimmalenko]

In theory, absolute maximum is 56 kilobits per second, which is 7 kiloBytes per second. 4K is 32kbps; 5K is 40kbps.

In theory, downloads (or uploads) are x kiloboits per second. In practice, you receive x - losses kbps. Due to the sheer nature of cabling, there will always be losses (although they may be negligably small). The sheer number of kms your download request is travelling may also contribute, as requests can take time (again, may be negligably small) to get from one side of the world to the other. Also loadings at the time on both the source server and your ISP's server can contribute. Even the quality of your own phone line can adversely affect your connection speeds back to your ISP.

Due to the nature and structure of the internet, it is not always as simple as "I am not using my connection for anything else". Try doing a tracert to a chosen website to see how many different routers you need to bounce off before you get to where you requested, and you'll understand that if any one of those links is slightly under load then your effective speed will drop.

[Faustus]

In theory, absolute maximum is 56 kilobits per second, which is 7 KiloBytes per seconds. 4K is 32kbps; 5K is 40kbps.

I think this is what he doesn't understand.

[InXess]

From a good test site you should be getting closer to 6kbps or more with an ISP that not only claims but delivers on their promise. Unfortunately they don't give a damn and since 7 kbps is a borderline value (max) they can always blame it on something like radioactive pollution... Fact is most are throttling speeds down. Look for new ISP.
Check with several test sites for consistency as well as ISP's own download page. It may also be due to poor routing. Do some traceroutes and find out if the problem is local or remote. Back in the days I recall getting 6-8 kbps rather consistently.

Also, noisy lines cause more crc errors thus considerably slowing you down (both modem/DSL and cable).
Keep in mind that remote servers you download from may be "managing" - slowing connections down depending on the traffic and quality of their hookup (not always so great).

[NiteLite]

Super[/url] Warrior]I've wondered about this for a long time. For example i've got a 54kbs dial-up connection, so logic would dictate that if i were downloading something and NOT doing anything else on-line, it should download at about a rate of 54kbs.

Yet whenever in the past i've gone to download something, it always shows up as like 4k-5k a second instead.

Why is this? It makes no sense!

Also your connection may not be optimal. I (almost) always connect (56K modem) to my ISP @ 50666kbs with an average throughput around 5 kbs or 5400cps which I think is just a little better than a typical 42k connection speed.
If you have some serious downloading using dialup may I suggest to do a modem speed test before starting.
Even though I'm connected at 50666kbs sometimes my D/L or throughput speed will be around 2-3 kbs. Terribly slow. A quick disconnet and redial will get me connected to a better connection and even though still 50666 connect my throughput will be 5+kbs. which can half the D/L time.
While looking I find my old and trusted link to let me know if I have a good connection. My connection now is 5400cps which is a good connect for my ISP servers.
There are probably way more accurate test sites. I have used this for many years and find it reliable.
Yes, it's hard to imagine that high speed is not available everywhere in America or if so it's a monopoly and charge $50-60 a month for 786K connect. Ridiculous and hard to justify when dial-up is only $15. a month for good local dial-up service.
Good luck,
NL

test link. If inappropriate, mods please remove. Thanks
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~leslie/testpage/testpg5.htm?24290583

[dafoe]

Why is this? It makes no sense! [/quote]
Yes, it's hard to imagine that high speed is not available everywhere in America or if so it's a monopoly and charge $50-60 a month for 786K connect. Ridiculous and hard to justify when dial-up is only $15. a month for good local dial-up service.
Good luck,
NL

test link. If inappropriate, mods please remove. Thanks
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~leslie/testpage/testpg5.htm?24290583[/quote]

I wouldn't have any problem paying $50-$60 a month for high speed if I had to. There really is no comparison between high speed and dialup. I wouldn't take dialup if it were free.

You get what you pay for. It's like asking why would anyone waste all that money on a Porsche when they can get an Ford Focus for 15k? Price isn't everything.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that's not completely your point. I just don't understand why some people are still content using dialup. It's crazy.

[NiteLite]

I wouldn't have any problem paying $50-$60 a month for high speed if I had to. There really is no comparison between high speed and dialup. I wouldn't take dialup if it were free.
Don't get me wrong, I understand that's not completely your point. I just don't understand why some people are still content using dialup. It's crazy.

I completely understand your take on the matter, dafoe.
When I speak of $60. a month for 786k I am thinking of competition like Verizon offering the same connect for $14.95/ month. (not available in my area) OR a neighboring county offering TW cable for about $20/ month. It's just in my area it's a complete one offer monopoly and they are taking advantage of it and it's hard to submit. Resistance is not futile. (Sorry been watching Star Trek)
I know from a friend that I'm obsolete if my usage demanded large file D/L's
Basically, I surf, read, some research and visit forums like here for education with my hobbys. Yes there are times but for 90% of my use, dial-up suffices. It's not really crazy just a priority setting.
I'm glad most can afford and have access to maybe some decent offers and competition.
I can only hope more competiton arrives in my area.
Regards...
NL

[dafoe]

I commend you on your principals. I completely understand. I am pretty secure financially, so money doesn't really become issue for me until I feel as though I'm being taken advantage of. At that point, the wallet/checkbook slams shut.

But sometimes personal gratification has to win out over pride. Otherwise you are cutting off your nose to spite your face. Not that I'm saying you are, beacause high speed doesn't sound that important to you.

Maybe I'm just unusually impatient, but I hate dial up. It wasn't that long ago that high speed was unavailable in my area. It was excruciating! And I'm not just talking about file downloads. It used to drive me nuts having to wait 15-20 seconds for a page to download. And God forbid it actually had any sort of graphics.

I suspect that a lot of people that are happy with dialup have never tried high speed. I could never go back to that crap.

But I'm going to shut up before I get accused of threadjacking.

[KBeee]

Connection speed has very little to do with download speed.
Imagine doing a similar thing through Snail Mail.
I send you a 8 letters - I don't know if you got them or not
You write back telling me you got my first 8 letters, so I send you a Thank You for letting me know, and another 8 letters.... although 10 mails have passed between us, you've only got 8 useful letters.
Same with your internet data - if you figure 1/10th of your connection speed as your real download rate, you won't be far out.

[lordsmurf]

You can only go as fast as the other end of the connection.

[Heywould3]

In theory, absolute maximum is 56 kilobits per second, which is 7 KiloBytes per seconds. 4K is 32kbps; 5K is 40kbps.

I think this is what he doesn't understand.

This is exactly what hes missing.. go grab something like dialup meter its shareware change the settings from kBs to kbs and you will see the actual number your dling at in terms of what your connection is saying.. if you connect at 56k thats kbs not kBs.. give it a shot.. youll see

[handyguy]

Also your connection is going through all sorts of hubs, routers & other computers on it's way to & from that file you are downloading. ANy of those hubs or computers could be slow.