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General discussion

Verizon Fios download help

Jul 21, 2009 6:02PM PDT

Hi, I have the Verizon Fios internet with speeds of 20 MB down/ 5 MB up but whenever I download something, it never gets a download speed above 2 MB. I also went on various websites that check you speed and they always come out with results that are near 20 MB down and 5 MB up. Is there something wrong with my connection, or my computer OR does 20 MB really mean only 2 MB? I have Hp laptop with Vista on it. Could my problem be related to websites that I am downloading from cause if that is the case can you recommend a good website from which I can download something just to check its speed?

Discussion is locked

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That speed is
Jul 21, 2009 10:02PM PDT

Just from the verizon gear to you. It does not mean that the server you are downloading to has that much speed. This often confuses people.
Bob

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And make sure you understand the numbers . . .
Jul 21, 2009 10:39PM PDT

Connect speed is measured in bits per second. Download speed is measured in Bytes per second. Since there are 8 bits in a Byte . . .

Try this site, pick a server close to you http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

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Thanx
Jul 25, 2009 7:40PM PDT

Thanks guys for your help. I didn't realize that the connect speed and download speed are different; they should advertise it a little more clearly though for consumers

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truth in advertising
Jul 28, 2009 10:21AM PDT

If they were clear then the customers would know what they were getting, and probably get angry.

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Yeah . . .
Jul 29, 2009 11:10PM PDT

Try getting 1 Gb/s transfer speed on a one Gig LAN connection. Try getting 54 Mb/s on a wireless G signal. Try getting 400 Mb/s over a USB connection. None will ever happen. All are theoretical, but never happen in real life.

One more.

Try finding 100 Gig available on a 100 Gig hard drive, or pick a size.

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yeah.....
Sep 30, 2009 1:31PM PDT

Just a nice site for fios help www.fixfiber.com, it has links to different speed tests and Verizon sites for optimizing your PC - good luck!