Bandwidth and speed of computer connections

For inexperienced users it is very difficult to understand how fast a particular connection is compared to the other, since the abbreviations used do not make us understand anything about the real speed that we can reach at that precise moment. This applies to both Internet connections and any other type of connection, including wired or wireless connections.

To find the key to the problem and find out what is the real transmission speed of each modern technologist, in the following guide we will find the references to the bandwidth and transfer rate of all modern technological connectionsso you can understand once and for all if we are using a fast connection or a very slow connection.

For all connections we will use the values ​​in kilobytes per second, megabytes per second or gigabytes per secondso you can check the real speed of the internet connection (which is not always immediate using bits, megabits and gigabits as units of measurement).

READ ALSO -> Difference between Megabyte (MB) and Megabit (Mbps) in ADSL speed calculations

Mobile data network connections

Connections on the cellular data network are probably the most used at the moment, since everyone uses a smartphone and always wants to get the maximum speed. We remind you that the bandwidth does not always correspond to the achievable actual speed: much depends on the operator, on the antenna, on the telephone, on the signal and on the number of users connected to the same antenna.

The most popular connections on mobile data networks are, from slowest to fastest:

• GSM CSD (2G): 1.8 kB/s in download e upload
• GPRS (2.5G): 7.2 kB/s in download, 3.6 kB/s in upload
• EDGE (2.75G): 29.6 kB/s in download e upload
• UMTS (3G): 48 kB/s in download e upload
• HSPA (3.5G): 1706 kB/s in download, 720 kB/s in upload
• HSPA+ (3,75G): 5.25 MB/s in download, 1.437 MB/s in upload
• LTE Cat 2 (4G): 6.25 MB/s in download, 3.375 MB/s in upload
• LTE Cat 3 (4G): 12.5 MB/s in download, 6.25 MB/s in upload
• LTE Cat 4 (4G): 18.75 MB/s in download, 6.25 MB/s in upload
• LTE Cat 6 (4,5G): 37.5 MB/s in download, 6.25 MB/s in upload
• LTE Cat 10 (LTE Advanced): 56.25 MB/s in download, 12.5 MB/s in upload
• 3GPP 5G (5G): 125 MB/s in download e upload.

In order to make the most of modern technologies and the most demanding apps, we recommend that you connect only to LTE Cat 2 or higher networks, sure to obtain an adequate level of speed at all times.

READ ALSO -> Connection speed from mobile: 3G (UMTS), HSPA, 4G (LTE) and 5G

Fixed network connections

The evolution of the fixed network has been very rapid in recent years, passing from the classic telephone socket to optical fiber in all its derivations.

The most popular fixed network connections are, from slowest to fastest:

• ADSL (G.lite): 192 kB/s in download, 128 kB/s in upload.
• ADSL (G.dmt): 1024 kB/s in download, 128 kB/s in upload.
• ADSL2: 1536 kB/s in download, 180 kB/s in upload.
• ADSL2+: 3072 kB/s in download, 448 kB/s in upload.
• VDSL: 7 MB/s in download, 2 MB/s in upload.
• VDSL2: 12.5 MB/s in download, 5 MB/s in upload.
• EVDSL: 37.5 MB/s in download, 10 MB/s in upload.
• BPON (optical fiber): 77.7 MB/s in download, 19.3 MB/s in upload.
• EPON (optical fiber): 125 MB/s in download e upload.
• GPON (optical fiber): 311 MB/s in download, 155.5 MB/s in upload.
• XGS-PON (optical fiber): 1.25 GB/s in download e in upload.

The best connections are those identified with the writing optic fiberbut if it is not available where we live we can always bet on EVDSL or on the VDSL2, which allow you to reach very interesting speeds. Obviously, let’s forget the ADSL connection, by now really too slow for the current technology.

Local area network (LAN) connections via Ethernet cable

When we connect two computers together or when we connect the PC via cable to the modem we will take advantage of the speeds available for Ethernet cables, which have become faster and more stable over the years.

Connections on LAN networks via Ethernet cable are, from slowest to fastest:

• Fast Ethernet (100BASE-X): 12.5 MB/s in download e upload.
• Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-X): 125 MB/s in download e upload.
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (2.5GBASE-T): 312.5 MB/s in download e upload.
• 5 Gigabit Ethernet (5GBASE-T): 625 MB/s in download e upload.
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-X): 1.25 GB/s in download e upload.

The latter two are currently only used in business, while Gigabit Ethernet is very popular on modems and home PCs and office computers. To be able to exploit the optical fiber properly we must have at least Gigabit Ethernet, otherwise there is not enough bandwidth to take advantage of the connection.

READ ALSO -> Better a Wifi network or Ethernet cables? which is faster?

Wireless connections (Wi-Fi)

To connect wireless devices to the modem we use the Wi-Fi, which comes with different speeds based on the protocol used. Over the years, various acronyms have appeared, although now we have moved towards a simplification, so that everyone can immediately understand what Wi-Fi network they are using.

Connections on Wi-Fi networks are, from slowest to fastest:

• IEEE 802.11g (Wi-Fi 3): 6.75 MB/s in download e upload.
• IEEE 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4): 75 MB/s in download e upload.
• IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5): 850–866.25 MB/s in download e upload.
• IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6): 1375 MB/s in download e upload.

The latter two networks can be used on the 5GHz frequency, while the first two use the 2.4GHz frequency, usually the busiest and most subject to interference. Whenever possible, we always choose modems and dual band devices, so that we can also connect to the fastest networks (Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6).

READ ALSO -> File Transfer Rate: Differences between USB, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth and other cables

Bluetooth connections

Not all Bluetooth connections are created equal eithersince each wireless connection protocol has different speed and coverage reflex values, which should be known before buying any device with Bluetooth.

Bluetooth connections are, from slowest to fastest:

• Bluetooth 1.1: 125 kB/s in download e upload.
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR: 375 kB/s in download e upload.
• Bluetooth 3.0 e 4.0: 3.125 MB/s in download e upload.
• Bluetooth 5.0: 6.25 MB/s in download e upload.

If possible, we always buy devices with Bluetooth 5.0 support, so as to be sure of having the fastest headphones compatible with all protocols (even the older ones).

USB PC connections

Also the various ports we use on a PC have various bandwidths, often very different from each other (even if the port is the same, the speed can change). Before connecting any USB stick or external disk, let’s check the speed of the most used ports on the PC.

The USB port connections are, from slowest to fastest:

• USB 1.0 full speed: 1.5 MB/s in download e upload.
• USB 2.0 high speed: 60 MB/s in download e upload.
• USB 3.0 SuperSpeed (USB 3.1 Gen 1): 500 MB/s in download e upload.
• USB 3.1 SuperSpeed+ (USB 3.1 Gen 2): 1.212 GB/s in download e upload.
• USB 3.2 SuperSpeed+ (USB 3.2 Gen 2×2): 2.424 GB/s in download e upload.
• USB 4.0: 5 GB/s in download e upload.

The fastest ports are available in both Type A (classic USB port) and Type C, while on Macs they are offered on a Thunderbolt port.

READ ALSO -> Differences between USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 3.1 and 3.2 sticks and which one to buy

Conclusions

In this guide we have seen the bandwidth values ​​for the main connections that can be used on smartphones, tablets or PCs, so that we always know what type of connection we are using and at what maximum speed we can reach.

The values ​​shown above will not always reflect the actual speed: there are so many factors that can influence the speed, from interference to the speed of individual components through to the type of cable or the type of module used.

Connections can also be slow for other reasons: the slow fixed connections they are often caused by the provider and the modem chosen, while on mobile connections the causes are to be found in the poor coverage of the antennas, given that operators hardly update them to cover new users.