Download speed

Meaning

Download speed is how fast data travels from the internet to your device, and it is the figure most plans highlight. Watching a video, opening a web page, installing a game update or receiving a file all draw on download capacity. For most households it is the number that matters most, but it is only half the picture: calls, backups and large uploads depend on upload speed. Ask for both figures, and test on a wired connection to separate the line from your WiFi. See also: Upload speed, Mbps, and the guide What Mbps Means: Download Speed, Upload Speed and Latency.