Upload speed 10 times lower than Download speed. ISP problem or bad configuration?

[Kailido]

Hi.

I've been curently testing my internet speed. I know that usually the upload speed is about half of your download speed in most cases. I don't think that there is any restriction related to upload speed in the ISP contract so i find this pretty odd.

Here's a pic as proof

BTW, i'm connected to an AP that is connected to the main AP using a bridge connection. I don't think that's a problem because i don't see the logic for that making me have lower upload speeds and not also download speed

I'm really interested in starting streaming but this low upload speed is bothering me a lot.

Any suggestions?

 

[chugot9218]

Generally Upload and Download speeds do not come at any designated ratio, uploading data takes an extra step so it is much more costly on network traffic. Until recently, I could have download speeds upwards of 20, or even 40MB, but my upload was still pegged at 1MB, the new standard is 5MB for my ISP but I would need to buy a new modem (according to them) to take advantage.

 

[humangod]

ISP problem or bad configuration?

Probably neither. Your ISP will put a limit on your download AND upload speeds. It all depends on what you are paying for. Call them and ask what you are paying for.

I worked for an ISP for 6 years.

 

[USAFRet]

All depends on what you are paying for. There is no 'usually'.

Currently, my connection is 50/25 (1/2). Previously, it was 25/25. Previous to that, 15/5 (1/3). Previous to that...10/1.
All depends on what you pay your ISP for.

 

[humangod]

Generally Upload and Download speeds do not come at any designated ratio, uploading data takes an extra step so it is much more costly on network traffic. Until recently, I could have download speeds upwards of 20, or even 40MB, but my upload was still pegged at 1MB, the new standard is 5MB for my ISP but I would need to buy a new modem (according to them) to take advantage.

Uploading doesn't require an extra step. The reason why uploads are lower than downloads is due to signaling. Take DSL for example. To get DSL to someone's home, you have a finite amount of bandwidth to work with. You can only fit so much data in the DSL signal. DSL is broken into multiple channels at different frequencies. All of these channels are multiplexed on the line and put back together by the receiving device. Your ISP has a choice in how they designate those channels for you to use. They could split them equally into download and upload and give you symmetric speeds. But most home users only use download. You go to facebook, you're downloading their content. You go to cnn, you're downloading their content. Home users rarely host any services on their networks. Upload is mainly used for sending requests to servers (sites) for their content. And those requests are pretty small in size.

So your ISP decides to allocate more of those channels for your download than your upload. Otherwise, the extra bandwidth allocated for upload (in the case of symmetrical upload and download speeds) usually goes unused.

This is equally true on DOCSIS (cable modem connections). Frequencies still have to be allocated for download and upload. You get the biggest bang for your buck when you allocate more channels to download.

If you're lucky enough to get ethernet to your home direct from your provider, there's a good chance you get symmetrical speeds because your ISP no longer has to worry about allocating frequencies to download or upload. If they still do lower your upload speed, it's to limit you using your connection for hosting services.

 

[chugot9218]

Ahh, I had thought there was an extra step in establishing the connection for an Upload and that that contributed as well.