Symmetric Speeds: When Upload Speeds Should Match Download Speeds

Mention fiber internet and “symmetrical speeds” automatically comes to mind. After all, it’s one of the main selling points when comparing 100% fiber internet against traditional coaxial-based internet service.

Do users really need symmetrical speeds? It depends. A retired couple may not need upload speeds that mirror their download speeds—but a house full of gamers probably does.

We explain the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical speeds, why there’s a difference, and go into more detail about who needs either speed type.

What are symmetrical speeds?

With residential and business internet, the term “symmetrical speeds” refers to an equal amount of bandwidth allocated to the downstream and upstream.

For example, a 500Mbps plan with equal amounts of bandwidth each way has a download speed of 500Mbps and an upload speed of 500Mbps.

In contrast, the term “asymmetrical speeds” refers to an unequal amount of bandwidth allocated to the downstream and upstream.

For example, a 500Mbps plan with different amounts of bandwidth each way may have a download speed of 500Mbps and an upload speed of 20Mbps.

So, why don’t all internet connections offer symmetrical speeds? Read on to find out why.

What types of internet provide symmetrical speeds?

The backbone of the internet relies on fiber optics. The trunk lines used to create the global network contain multiple glass strands, with each one strand dedicated to transmitting data in one direction. By design, these large “combo” cables transmit data symmetrically.

As shown above, drop lines connecting buildings to a provider’s local network typically only use one fiber strand. A technology called Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) enables data to flow in both directions through the one fiber strand without colliding.

Many internet providers still have asymmetrical speeds

Most residential and business fiber internet services offer symmetrical speeds. However, some fiber networks still use Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) technology, which is limited to 2.5Gbps downstream and 1.25Gbps upstream—in other words, asymmetrical fiber internet.

Other reasons for splitting the bandwidth unevenly include:

• Plan choice simplicity: Providers like Spectrum have two different network designs, which may be confusing, so it advertises only one set of asymmetrical plans given its FTTH footprint is small
• Upgrade incentives: Providers may reserve symmetrical internet for higher tiers

Asymmetrical speeds have been around for decades

Delivering asymmetrical speeds to residential internet customers is nothing new—it’s been common practice since the early days of “always-on” cable and Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) broadband internet. Back then, device manufacturers and internet providers assumed users mostly checked email, read articles, and downloaded low-resolution images.

The demand for more upload bandwidth didn’t increase until the mid-2000s, as file-sharing and social networks became popular, and users began posting videos on YouTube.

Now, in the 2020s, users store files and 4K images in the cloud, conduct high-resolution video calls, broadcast live feeds on social networks, work from home, play games online, and more. Upload bandwidth is more essential now than ever, requiring “traditional” internet providers to switch gears and overhaul their networks.

Zoom out today and symmetrical internet makes sense. Or does it?

Asymmetrical usually applies to legacy network designs

Unlike pure-fiber providers such as GFiber and AT&T Fiber, legacy internet providers such as Spectrum and Xfinity utilize a mix of both modern all-fiber designs and older Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) designs.

All-fiber Passive Optical Networks (PONs) deliver internet to buildings using nothing but fiber and passive splitters. Common terms used to describe this design include Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and Fiber to the Premises (FTTP). The fiber connection ends at a device called an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) installed inside the building.

Spectrum and similar internet providers install the same FTTH/FTTP networks when expanding into new areas. The city-wide PON network chain is this:

Central office > fiber > passive splitter > fiber > ONT

In contrast, an HFC design sees fiber stop at a cabinet. From there, coaxial cables and amplifiers are used to connect buildings to the internet. The line terminates at a device called a modem located inside the building.

Spectrum and similar internet providers keep their existing HFC networks intact unless funding is provided to swap it all out for fiber. Here’s another analogy:

Central office > fiber > optical node (cabinet) > coax > amplifier > coax > modem

The asymmetrical landscape is changing

Internet providers that relied on GPON technology are currently upgrading to 10-Gigabit-capable Symmetrical Passive Optical Network (XGS-PON) technology. As the name suggests, the design enables 10Gbps symmetrical speeds on an all-fiber optical network.

However, the upgrade doesn’t only apply to providers of fiber internet. Because HFC networks rely on fiber for their backbone, their core fiber networks also need the upgrade, whether the last mile is fiber or coaxial cable.

Also, with coaxial-based networks, providers like Spectrum must upgrade those legacy network designs to support faster symmetrical speeds. That means swapping out optical nodes, amplifiers, and the modems placed in buildings.

For example, modems based on the DOCSIS 4.0 specification can support theoretical download speeds of up to 10Gbps, and upload speeds of up to 6Gbps. In other words, an internet connection that uses coaxial cable can support symmetrical speeds of up to 6Gbps.

Additional upgrades are expected in the near future, enabling 9Gbps symmetrical speeds and downloads as fast as 25Gbps—all without replacing existing coaxial-based networks with 100% fiber ones.

Symmetrical speeds are still somewhat unnecessary for home use

The term “symmetrical speeds” became synonymous with the rise of residential fiber internet. It’s almost always used as a big differentiator between FTTH and HFC-based internet services. Comments like “fiber is faster than cable” are partly due to how some fiber and most HFC internet services split the bandwidth unevenly, while most FTTH providers do not.

However, bandwidth allocation is the only “speed” differentiator, given that data travels at the same speed across glass and copper.

That said, the question people shopping for new internet service need to ask themselves shouldn’t be about the connection type, but about the bandwidth they need. Yes, a fiber connection is theoretically more reliable than a coaxial one due to their designs, but a 2Gbps coax-based plan downloads just as fast as a similar fiber one(at least it should in perfect conditions).

High vs. low upload bandwidth

Determining whether a single household or business needs symmetrical or asymmetrical internet depends on the applications the occupants use. We break the list down into high and low upload bandwidth use. Take a look:

For now, asymmetrical internet offered by HFC-based providers typically caps at around 250Mbps in upload bandwidth—the actual amount squarely depends on the provider. For example, Spectrum’s maximum upload speed listed in our database is 35Mbps, whereas one of its competitors hits the current 250Mbps ceiling.

As previously mentioned, some 100% fiber providers cap their upload speeds due to using older technology.

The bottom line is if a customer doesn’t need large amounts of upload bandwidth, then choosing between symmetrical and asymmetrical internet is irrelevant.

Why fast uploads are important

Gamers need fast upload speeds because it reduces the chances of latency. It’s true that games require a bare minimum amount of data uploaded to a remote server, but a narrow bandwidth can cause congestion, which translates to delayed player actions, audio stuttering, rubberbanding, and more.

For online play, games must send the following information:

• Player location
• Player input
• Voice chat
• Server receipt acknowledgement
• Game state changes

Livestreaming adds to the upload, as players also include live video data to the upstream. Video conferencing requires a decent amount of upload bandwidth, too, for smooth visuals and audio. Meanwhile, media sharing and cloud syncing are more about uploading files quickly.

To put upload speed into perspective, let’s take a look at how long it takes to upload a 500MB file under perfect conditions:

As shown, a 500MB file takes less time to upload with a 250Mbps connection than a 20Mbps one.

So, who needs symmetrical speeds?

The following users should keep plans with symmetrical speeds in mind when shopping for internet:

• Competitive gamers
• Remote workers
• Heavy cloud users
• General broadcasters
• Livestreamers
• Businesses
• Surveillance camera owners

Again, the need for upload bandwidth is typically associated with the applications. A user in one home who mostly checks email and lurks on Instagram doesn’t need lots of upload bandwidth, let alone symmetrical internet. But the livestreamer who broadcasts gameplay every day benefits from fast upload speeds and possibly symmetrical speeds, depending on their download speed requirements.

Keep in mind that bandwidth isn’t tied to just one application and user. Modern homes and businesses have dozens upon dozens of devices that simultaneously access the internet every second. And while most applications don’t need tons of upload bandwidth, their sum total can add up. Frankly, the more upload speed, the better—but that doesn’t mean users should gravitate to symmetrical internet.

Spectrum Internet® has the speed you need

Spectrum provides both symmetrical and asymmetrical internet—availability depends on the location. Its asymmetrical plans offer speeds of up to 35Mbps, which should be plenty for homes that mostly check email, shop online, and interact with social networks. Higher speeds are ideal for working at home, gaming online, livestreaming, and so on.

Plans disclaimers