Why's it so much?

cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
4,494
0
76
I was thinking.... (scary)

Why is upload bandwidth actually so much more than download? Is there a technical reason why it is more money to use or is it just because upload is associated with serving/hosting? Does it actually cost the great ISP people more money to use upload than download? Or am I missing something...
 

Rastus

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
4,704
3
0
Because it is cheaper to receive than transmit. End user modems would cost much more if the speeds were synchronous.
 

MegaloManiaK

Golden Member
May 27, 2003
1,207
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0
Because bandwidth is limited and costs money.

Uploading to get a web page is negligable, downloading the pictures and videos related is not. Therefor you get more download than upload because most people don't have a big need for upload speed.
 

ThisIsMatt

Banned
Aug 4, 2000
11,820
1
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Originally posted by: MegaloManiaK
Because bandwidth is limited and costs money.

Uploading to get a web page is negligable, downloading the pictures and videos related is not. Therefor you get more download than upload because most people don't have a big need for upload speed.
Pretty much...they can use the equipment to supply fast downloads to more people, while keeping upload traffic just high enough to send acknowledgment packets. Want more upload? Then you gotta pay more to use the equipment that could have been used to supply downstream to someone else...
 

IamElectro

Golden Member
Jul 15, 2003
1,470
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Is there a technical reason why it is more money to use or is it just because upload is associated with serving/hosting?

My guess would be the serving and hosting. They can assume if you are serving then you are possibly a business and therfore can afford the extra cost for the faster upload. With Adelphia the only way to get from 128k to 512k upload is to sign up for a business account.
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
My upload is faster than my download.

Your download speed : 2915540 bps, or 2915 kbps.
A 355.9 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 3981420 bps, or 3981 kbps.

This is like 1:30 in the morning with just a few people using the network in the dorms right now. I can finally have my own ftp that works freakin fast!
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
It's not a physical limit accross the board. It's mostly business.

You don't NEED massive uploads for fast browsing and file retrival. THat is why they can charge you for it..


Once again it's all business.....Cost vs. Demand
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: amdskip
My upload is faster than my download.

Your download speed : 2915540 bps, or 2915 kbps.
A 355.9 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 3981420 bps, or 3981 kbps.

This is like 1:30 in the morning with just a few people using the network in the dorms right now. I can finally have my own ftp that works freakin fast!

You are on a univ line though. Those are usally symetrical.....1500/1500.....45000/45000.....155000/155000...etc...


Your upload is proably so high compared to your download speeds because a lot of people left their pcs downloading.