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General discussion

The speed of Verizon DSL

Mar 21, 2009 11:52AM PDT

I've had dialup for years and am thinking about finally going to high speed. My question is why does Verizons 1 Mbps/384 Kbps plan say that it takes 8 seconds to download a 1 MB file? This is right on there "Which plan is right for me" page. It also says the 3 Mbps plan takes 3 seconds for the same file. I don't understand this at all? this all sounds like false advertizing to me or am I missing something completely?

Discussion is locked

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Megabyte, Megabit, about x seconds to download
Mar 21, 2009 12:07PM PDT
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Here's the explanation.
Mar 21, 2009 3:19PM PDT

Notice the "b" in 1Mbps, then notice the "B" in 1 MB file. The answer is that 1B=8b. This has to do with 1 byte is equal to 8 bits. So..no false advertise.

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opitium speed of DSL
Mar 29, 2009 8:50AM PDT

Mbps..mBps..kilobit/p/s...Kibit/s.... I've had it with the math!!!! Can someone just tell my the opitium speed of 3 Mbps??? I have 6 numbers in front of me ranging from 325 Kbps to 384 Kib/s. I thought that I was understanding it all but obviously I'm not.
If you can give me the opitium speed of 3Mbps, would you also show and explain the math involved? I have a really bad headache right now.
I have DSL ordered and just want to know what kinds of speeds I should expect. I know already that it will most likely be slower.
Thanks
Jerry
P.S. The simple version of the math PLEASE!!!!

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Simple, only two rules . . .
Mar 29, 2009 10:41AM PDT

b = bit.
B = Bytes which is 8 bits.

OK?

You need to pay attention to how it is written and how it is used.

As a general rule, if you have a (rounded for comparison) 1 Mb (Mega bit which is one million bits) connection you will have what? Divide 1,000,000 by 8, gives you what speed in Bytes?

If you have a connect speed of 384 Kb/s, what is the speed in Bytes? Hint, divide 384,000 by 8.

As I said at the first, you must differentiate between bits and Bytes, and take note of the upper or lower case "B".

Easy.

Now, and I mean a big now!!

Don't get hung up on the EXACT terminology of Mega and million as they relate to data transmission. Simply a Kilo- anything is 1000. A kilo-bit is 1024 bits. A Mega -anything is 1,000,000 anythings. A Mega-bit is what? It'll make you crazy.

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Simple except for me
Mar 29, 2009 12:10PM PDT

OK 1 bit = 8
B = Bytes which is 8 bits

As a general rule, if you have a (rounded for comparison) 1 Mb (Mega bit which is one million bits) connection you will have what? Divide 1,000,000 by 8, gives you what speed in Bytes?

=125000 = 1 Mb??????????????????

If you have a connect speed of 384 Kb/s, what is the speed in Bytes?

=48000 Bps?????????????

Easy...........Easy for you maybe..... Did I mention I have a difficult time in math and even more so with word problems.

Your right, a Mbps is ==== (I'm nuts, crazy and stupid) Mbps =48000x 1000 =48,000,000??????

I didn't mention I can fix any part of you car, airplane, or mill equipment, plus weld and am a machinest but I'm not pretending here......I'm lost!!!!!!!!!I'm just trying to make mayself feel better right now which really is impossable.

So 1 Mbps is 48,000,000 bps???

So the answer to my queston is:::::

48,000,000 divided by 1,000,000 is 48 Kbps x 3 is 144 Kbps.

You laugh you heart out now any time. I know in my heart this is not right, even though I followed your schooling to the best of my ability. I'm going to go get drunk now while you laugh at my stupidity. I hpe this will not infulence your helping me in the future.
Thankyou
Jerry

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Apoligy
Mar 29, 2009 12:21PM PDT

My spelling and grammer in my last post was really bad. I was too involved in do the math to notice.
SORRY
Jerry

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Jerry!
Mar 29, 2009 11:49PM PDT

You're working too hard! Really, don't worry about it. Math isn't my strong suit either. So for what it's worth, anything is faster than dial-up. LOL

And if it wasn't almost nine AM in Dallas, I'd join you in tossing one back.

Wayne

Click here to see the CNet faces, learn a little about analog and digital data, Internet connections, Spyware removal, and download free software (and a GREAT chocolate-cherry cobbler recipe).
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Coryphaeus
Mar 30, 2009 8:07AM PDT

Hi again,
How about this....3 Mbps = 3,000,000 divided by 8 = 375,000 = KBps or is it kBps? Am I getting any warmer? Is this much right?
Or do I then need to divide 375,000 by 1000 = 375 kBps?
Every time I try this I get a different answer. And even gets worse when I try the 10 or 2 to a power way, Binary 1024.
I just want a close answer that is right. I know that I will not likely get the speed that was advertized. This all reminds me of Calulas, where anything can be made to equal anything else. I FLUNKED THAT CLASS BIG TIME!!! LMAO
Thanks again
Jerry