Broadband Classroom » Download/Upload
Broadband speeds refer to the amount of data that a consumer can either download or upload in a given second. Speeds are generally measured in either kilobits per second (Kbps), megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps).
Maximum Advertised Download Speed
On the National Broadband Map, this is the maximum download speed that a broadband provider advertises in an area. This usually represents the maximum download speed that the network can provide. Actual performance depends on a number of factors that may include your computer, network congestion due to other users, and the location of your home or business, among others.
The is the typical download speed that most subscribers can achieve consistently during expected periods of heavy network usage. It is typically slower than the broadband network's unfettered maximum download speed or a provider's maximum advertised download speed. Actual performance depends on a number of factors that may include your computer, network congestion due to other users, and the location of your home or business, among others. In addition, different providers may use different methods or assumptions in estimating the speeds reported on the map. Accordingly, your specific experience may differ from the speeds provided here. The National Broadband Map currently displays the typical speeds submitted by providers on Maximum Advertised vs Typical Speed Map, but not in individual search results. NTIA plans to add this functionality in the future. The typical speed data submitted by State Broadband Data and Development (SBDD) program grantees is included in the dataset that is currently publicly available.
Maximum Advertised Upload Speed
On the National Broadband Map, this is the maximum upload speed that a broadband provider advertises in an area. This usually represents the maximum upload speed that the network can provide. Actual performance depends on a number of factors that may include your computer, network congestion due to other users, and the location of your home or business, among others.
This is the typical upload speed that most subscribers can achieve consistently during expected periods of heavy network usage. It is typically slower than the broadband network's unfettered maximum upload speed. Actual performance depends on a number of factors that may include your computer, network congestion due to other users, and the location of your home or business, among others. In addition, different providers may use different methods or assumptions in estimating the speeds reported on the map. Accordingly, your specific experience may differ from the speeds provided here.