Why Symmetrical Speeds Matter for Modern Homes
Upload speeds are just as important as download speeds for creators and remote workers.
The Download Obsession
For the entire history of the commercial internet, “Speed” has meant “Download Speed.” We measure our connections by how fast we can consume content: how fast a web page loads, how fast Netflix buffers, how fast a game downloads from Steam. Broadband packages are sold as “100Mbps” or “500Mbps,” but these numbers almost always refer to the download rate.
Hidden in the small print is the Upload Speed—the speed at which you can send data out to the world. On traditional copper (FTTC) and even Virgin Media’s cable network, the upload speed is a fraction of the download speed. You might have 100Mbps down, but only 10Mbps up. This 10:1 ratio is a hangover from an era when we were passive consumers of the web.
We Are All Creators Now
The way we use the internet has fundamentally shifted. We are no longer just watching; we are broadcasting. This shift has made upload speed the new bottleneck for modern households. Consider these common scenarios:
- Cloud Backups: We take photos and 4K videos on our phones and expect them to magically appear in iCloud or Google Photos. With slow upload speeds, this sync process can take hours, clogging up the connection for everyone else.
- Video Conferencing: Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet require a steady stream of video from you. If your upload bandwidth is maxed out, your video will freeze and your audio will cut out, making you look unprofessional.
- Gaming and Streaming: Twitch streamers need a high, stable upload bitrate to broadcast gameplay. Even just playing games requires your inputs to be sent to the server instantly.
- Working from Home: Sending large PDF files, architectural drawings, or video projects to the company server requires serious upload grunt.
The Symmetry Revolution
Symmetrical Speed means your upload speed is identical to your download speed. If you buy a 900Mbps package from a CityFibre provider, you can download at 900Mbps and upload at 900Mbps.
This capability changes your relationship with data. It makes the cloud feel local. You can drag a 10GB file to a Dropbox folder, and it will upload in less than two minutes (compared to over an hour on a standard connection). It effectively extends your hard drive to the internet.
CityFibre is a leader in offering symmetrical profiles to residential customers. While Openreach’s FTTP product is still asymmetrical (typically 1000/115), CityFibre enables true two-way gigabit connectivity, unlocking the full potential of the digital home.