How fast is 3mbps dsl internet

Bandwidth is like the size of the hose. The larger it is, the more data you can pull down in a given time. Bandwidth is measured in bits per second. Note that bits are different than bytes, the common measure of file size. One byte equals 8 bits, so 1 megabyte MB equals 8 megabits. If you have a 1 megabit-per-second connection, a 1MB file will take eight seconds to download. On a 1 Mbps connection, an MP3 file, which might measure about 6MB, will take about 48 seconds to download.

A 5 gigabyte, or 5,MB, movie will take about 11 hours. The bandwidth you're allotted is shared among all devices on your connection. How much you need depends on how you use the internet.

If you've got one person downloading a video game, someone else streaming a movie and another person refreshing Instagram on his phone, you'll need enough bandwidth to keep everyone happy. Video streaming tends to eat up the most bandwidth, so households running simultaneous streams may want to pony up for higher speeds.

Netflix recommends a 3 Mbps connection for one standard-quality stream and 5 Mbps for a high-definition stream. A high latency, meaning a slow response, can affect performance in both online gaming and Skype-style voice over Internet protocol services, even if your download and upload speeds are both impressive.

This could be during a particular period such as an evening or across an entire month. Exceeding this limit could mean your service is slowed down or you face other consequences. Usage limits are particularly common on mobile broadband services.

The result is that although your service may offer a particular speed such as 3 Mbps, you may not be able to download at this speed indefinitely. A professional writer since with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism, John Lister ran the press department for the Plain English Campaign until As a Senior Writer, David is motivate… Read more.

Read bio. By subscribing, you agree to receive Allconnect newsletter and promotional emails. Your privacy is important to us. Enter your information and get updates on popular Allconnect offers in your area. Why do we ask for your address? Need help? Speak to one of our experts. Call: Data caps. Download speeds. Transfers data to your home for activities like streaming, shopping and browsing social media. Mbps Megabits per second.

A unit of measurement used to indicate download and upload speeds. Upload speeds. Transfer data from your home for activities like video calls, uploading large files, working on online documents and live gaming. Get the latest internet, streaming, wireless, TV and home security news directly to your inbox. On this page: How is internet speed measured? What is broadband? What is considered fast internet? What is considered slow internet? Take a speed test What difference does a good speed make?

When are download speeds important? When are upload speeds important? Common fast internet speed tiers include: Mbps Mbps Mbps Mbps. Simply fill out the form to get started. What business services are you interested in? Internet Voice Bundles. What is your business type? Office Retail Hospitality Other. What size is your business? What programs does your business use most? Your quote is almost ready. Where can we send our recommendations? First Name.

Last Name.