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General discussion

Where did my speed go?

Aug 25, 2009 10:20AM PDT

According to speed tests I have done and my bill I have about 1000 Kb/s download speed and 300 Kb/s of upload speed. Why am I topping out at 150 Kb/s when I am downloading a file?

Discussion is locked

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Bytes vs Bits
Aug 25, 2009 12:56PM PDT

The connection with your ISP is displayed in kilobits per second (kb/s), while your download speed is displayed in <b>kilobytes</b> (kB/s) per second (in most applications). So 150 kB/s is about what you would expect with a 1Mbs connection.

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8/1
Aug 27, 2009 1:40PM PDT

Yeah, it started as a deceptive marketing tactic, and is now industry standard for ISPs. There are 8 bits in a byte.

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In addition . . .
Aug 27, 2009 11:11PM PDT

Analog data; cable, DSL, satellite, contain a start bit and a stop bit, and in some cases CRC checking, so there are really 10 bits. The only service where there are only 8 bits is in a fully digital signal such as T-1 and above.