By Max Podhaisky, Producer, Digital Content at Ziply Fiber

When people shop for internet, speed is usually the headline. You'll see phrases like "up to 1 Gig" or "ridiculously-fast downloads," but those claims often leave out a key detail: internet speed works in two directions.

In this edition of Translating Tech, I'm going to talk about the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical internet speeds. The goal is simple: help you understand what these terms actually mean, how they show up in real life and why they can have a big impact on how your internet feels day to day.

What we're focusing on

Internet speed isn't just about how fast you can receive data. It's also about how fast you can send it. Symmetrical and asymmetrical speeds describe how balanced (or unbalanced) those two directions are. Understanding the difference helps explain why two internet plans with similar advertised speeds can perform very differently in real-world use.

The technical definition

Every internet connection has two core measurements:

Here's how the two speed types break down:

You'll also see speeds expressed in different units:

Both units measure how much data can move through your connection per second.

What that means to the average person

If the technical definitions feel a little abstract, think of your internet connection as a two-way delivery system.

With asymmetrical internet, most of the capacity is focused on downloading. Uploading still works, but it's slower and more limited.

With symmetrical internet, both directions get equal priority. Sending data is just as fast and responsive as receiving it.

That balance can be the difference between an internet connection that simply works, and one that feels effortless.

Why it matters

Internet use has changed dramatically over the last decade. We're no longer just scrolling through Facebook posts, streaming the latest blockbuster on Netflix or watching videos on YouTube. We're:

All of those activities rely heavily on upload speed. When upload speeds are low, the issues don't always show up as obvious "slow internet." Instead, you might notice:

Symmetrical speeds help eliminate those friction points by giving uploads the same capacity as downloads.

What it enables you to do

Balanced speeds unlock smoother performance across the board, especially in homes and workplaces with multiple users and devices.

With symmetrical internet, you can:

For businesses, creators and remote teams, this isn't just about convenience. It's about productivity.

A real-world example

As Ziply Fiber's videographer, my job depends on moving large amounts of data fast. A single video shoot can generate massive files that need to be:

With asymmetrical internet, I might download reference footage quickly, but uploading my own work becomes a bottleneck. Large uploads can take hours, slowing collaboration and stretching production schedules.

With symmetrical fiber speeds, uploads move just as quickly as downloads. That means:

For me, symmetrical speeds aren't a luxury. They're essential to doing my job well.

Mbps vs. Gbps: translating the numbers

Let's take a moment to talk about the numbers that are used to convey speeds.

Since 1 Gbps = 1,000 Mbps, Gig speeds offer significantly more capacity, especially important when multiple people or devices are sharing a connection. Higher speeds don't just mean faster downloads. They mean:

When paired with symmetrical upload and download speeds, that capacity becomes even more noticeable.

The bottom line

Symmetrical speeds reflect how we actually use the internet today: not just to watch and browse, but to share, collaborate and create. Whether you're uploading videos like I do, working remotely, running a business or managing a connected home, having equal download and upload speeds can make a noticeable difference in how reliable and responsive your internet feels. That's why Ziply Fiber builds fiber networks designed for two-way performance, so your internet keeps up with the way you live and work.

About the author

Max Podhaisky helps bring Ziply Fiber's stories to life by capturing, editing and delivering video content that showcases our people, our communities and the work we do every day.